Jack Haessley, left, President of the Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House, is shown with Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Ohio History Connection Executive Director and CEO Megan Wood and former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman. Haessly was the organizer of the nonprofit group that is now responsible for the historic Newport Township structure. (Photo Provided)

COLUMBUS — Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House were among the five groups receiving 2023 Ohio History Leadership Awards during Statehood Day celebrations March 2 at the Ohio Statehouse.

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio History Connection Executive Director and CEO Megan Wood presented commemorative medallions to the winners to recognize outstanding contributions to the celebration and preservation of Ohio’s history.

The Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House is a nonprofit association dedicated to preserving the cultural history and impact of early Washington County civic leader Judge Joseph Barker Jr. and his family on Lower Newport, Marietta, Washington County, the Northwest Territory and the State of Ohio.

The Newport Township home, built in 1832, is an example of early Ohio architecture, according to a press release from the Ohio History Connection. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

In 2013, demolition was first considered by the Army Corps of Engineers, which owned the house. There was increased support and public awareness about the structure’s importance, however, beginning in 2017, and by late 2020, the structure was transferred from federal ownership to the local nonprofit. Since then, the Ohio Department of Transportation has installed an access road to the property.

From left are Jack Haessly of the Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House, Amber Kohler of U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson’s staff, and Friends members Skyler Secrest, Bill Reynolds, Tony Durm, Scott Britton and Deana Clark, attending the 2023 Ohio History Leadership Awards at the Ohio Statehouse on March 2. (Photo Provided)

The Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House include Jack Haessly, President; Bill Reynolds, Vice President for Preservation; Wesley Clarke, Vice President for Development; Tony Durm, Vice President for Restoration; Bob Ferguson, Treasurer; Julie Haessly, Secretary; and Harley Noland, Skyler Secrest, Steve Weber, Barbara Thorniley, Bob Rhoades, Bill Bowersock, George Hausser, Scott Britton, Deana Clark, Rick Dostal, Alan Norris and Jamie Barker.

The community group was organized by Haessley in order to stabilize, restore and repurpose the building. The undertaking had to receive authorization from Congress in order for it to occur. U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, U..S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and former U.S. Sen. Rob Portman played a significant role in that process, according to Ohio History Connection.

“The Friends of the Joseph Barker Jr. House certainly appreciate this statewide recognition of our preservation efforts here in southeastern Ohio. We also appreciate the great local support we have been receiving. Our fundraising is off to a good start and we have already taken actions to clean up and stabilize the Barker structures,” said Clarke, Barker House Vice President for Development.

More information on the Barker House can be found at barkerhouse.org.

Members of the FJBJ include:

¯ Harley Noland

¯ Steve Weber

¯ Barbara Thorniley

¯ Bob Rhoades

¯ Bill Bowersock

¯ George Hausser

¯ Scott Britton

¯ Deana Clark

¯ Rick Dostal

¯ Alan Norris

¯ Jamie Barker

¯ Jack Haessly, President

¯ Bill Reynolds, Vice President for Preservation

¯ Wesley Clarke, Vice President for Development

¯ Tony Durm, Vice President for Restoration

¯ Bob Ferguson, Treasurer

¯ Julie Haessly, Secretary