Husband David Johnson
Queer Places:
Drayton Hall, 3380 Ashley River Rd, Charleston, SC 29414
2 Wragg Square, Charleston, SC 29403
213C Ashley Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Robert E. Lee Barker (October 20, 1929 - October 28, 2018) was an American preservationist.
Robert E. Lee Barker was raised in Port Jefferson, New York, and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his discharge from the Army, Barker returned to Port Jefferson where he pursued his professional passions in interior design and historic preservation with considerable success for over two decades before moving to Charleston with his mother, Margaret, in the mid-1970s. Once settled in Charleston, Barker continued his work in design and historic preservation on larger canvas that Charleston represents. Barker’s love of Charleston shone through this passion for historic preservation and his active role in many renovation projects.
Throughout his adult life, Barker always held a special place for Drayton Hall located just outside of Charleston. Barker had the great fortune to visit the iconic 18th century Palladian estate in the 1960s, while it was still owned by the Drayton family, and returned in the 1970s to help open Drayton Hall as a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Serving as Interim Executive Director on occasion, Barker’s passion for interpreting and presenting history touched countless individuals through his magical tours as Drayton Hall’s Senior Interpreter for nearly four decades. In 2012, Drayton Hall established a fund in Barker’s name to honor his dedication to Drayton Hall.
Barker remained active in retirement. He was an enthusiastic gardener and chef, whose Thanksgiving dinners were widely regarded as culinary masterpieces. Barker was active in many local causes, and was a dedicated parishioner at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Anson Street in Charleston.
BBarker married his husband, David Johnson, in 2016. They resided happily on Ashley Avenue in Charleston until Barker’s passing.
Robert Barker passed away on October 28, 2018, following a brief illness, in the company of his husband, David Johnson.
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