The Barker Estate
The historical barker estate
Colonel Joseph Barker (1765–1843)
Col. Barker was considered the first master builder of the Northwest Territory. His architectural touch shaped much of the early settlement in Marietta, up and down the river. The Paul Fearing home, the Levee House with its infamous past, the Rev. Daniel Story home, and the original Blennerhassett Mansion, just to name a few.
In 1795, after building a blockhouse at Picketed Point and spending time in Belpre avoiding smallpox, Joseph decided it was time to build a log cabin at Wiseman's Bottom, 7miles up the Muskingum River, on 100 acres awarded for his service during the Indian Wars. Soon after, with a growing family of ten children, his family required a larger residence.
His final home, a Federal style brick 2 story, featured recessed windows, hidden chimneys, and an Adam doorway always open to friends and strangers alike. Finished in 1811, the estate with its salt spring, shipyard, and farmland was known as a"distinguished seat of hospitality."
Chef Christy and Alex continue the legacy by welcoming you to the Barker Estate for a unique moment in time at this beautiful historical home for a modern food experience with old-world charm. Whether you socialize in the parlor, eat in the cozy dining room, or have a glass of wine watching the sunset from the farmhouse porch, it is our hope you have a lasting memory of friendship, a beautiful home, and fabulous food.
"Count the day lost at which
the setting sun
sees at its close
no worthy action done."
Elizabeth Dana Barker
The menu
We are excited to provide an exclusive social dining experience at our historical home. Predetermined menu selections will change weekly. Weekend dinner courses will be posted monthly giving guests the opportunity to make reservations for the evening offering their dining preferences. One of the unique features of the Barker Estate will not only be the fun social dining experience, but repeat guests will delight in the ever-changing menu selections while enjoying an intimate historical venue. By offering a set menu for each dinner, we will provide an individualized experience ranging from fine dining to casual upscale cuisine. Chef Christy will have the ability to create a distinctive and personalized experience from appetizers through dessert, down to wine pairings and brew selections. We cannot wait to invite you into our historical home and share the dinner table with you as our guest.
RESERVATIONS for monthly weekend dinners at the barker estate
While bustling restaurants and local stand bars are a great environment for an evening out, sometimes you just want to sit in a comfortable living room and eat some good food. For those nights, our weekend social dining experience is perfect! Enjoy a comfortable evening in a beautiful historical home. If you are hungry for a new food experience while dining in our sitting room, the cozy dining room, or on the farmhouse porch, the Barker Estate is what you are looking for.
A unique social weekend dining experience by Chef Richard Christy or book a private event at our private venue. Guest reservations only. No walk-ins.
We offer "A distinguished seat of hospitality" at the Joseph Barker homestead built in 1811.
We only offer a preset menu on predetermined dates each month, posted no less than 2 weeks in advance.
We only offer our public reservations on Friday and Saturdays.
Reservations are required in advance. This allows us to offer the personalization that make your dining experience unique and memorable.
No walk-ins
We are a 24-30 seat venue, modest, and intimate
Our menu is ever evolving, preset menu for each night. This allows Chef Christy total focus on his main entree of the evening.
We support our local produce farms and businesses, although not totally farm-to-table, we strive to use all simple, fresh ingredients in our preparation.
Our window counter is a front row seat to view Chef Christy and the inner workings of a working kitchen.