about the author
The Julia Company
presents
Clent Coker, author, historian and museum director of
Barnsley Gardens Resort
When the public queues up at this peaceful refuge they just
might encounter the keeper of Barnsley Manor: Author and
Historian Clent Coker. In the historic Manor ruins & museum
visitors stand silently, motionless while carefully
listening to the highlights of the colorful Barnsley story:
A romantic mystery embroidered by details of genteel living,
the Civil War, strong willed women and even murder; the
story appeals to them all.
Clent Cokers’ own life is inexplicably drawn into the
fascinating account. His past is totally intermeshed with
the history he has spent a lifetime to preserve.
During the Mid-1800’s his great-great grandfather had worked
with Godfrey Barnsley on the construction of Barnsley Manor,
and his great grandmother was born on the Woodlands estate
just prior to the Civil War. As a young boy, Clent was
inspired by her intriguing tales of life with the Barnsley’s
who had lived a fairy tale existence in their castle in the
woods.
It was while he had lived with his grandparents just across
the mountain from Barnsley manor, that they would often
visit the old Barnsley homestead, where he thoroughly
enjoyed roaming the historic gardens and visiting with the
last of the Barnsley kin. As time progressed, he had somehow
felt a strong connection to the place and by the age of
thirteen was determined to start gathering up the many
elements of the complex Barnsley story and put it all back
together again.
He would often walk the dirt roads of the country side and
into the local villages to interview many of the elder
residents who had once lived or worked at Woodlands writing
down each of their memoirs. Through the years he traveled
extensively, spending endless hours collecting and buying
back hundreds of Barnsley treasures, ledgers, diaries,
letters and photos.
Since the early 1950’s Clent has truly lived the story,
researching every detail of the Barnsley’s and their unique
surroundings, while also connecting with Barnsley
descendents around the world.
The last of the Barnsley blood at Woodlands had passed from
the scene in 1942; the remainder of the once fabulous
landmark was soon auctioned by foreclosure. One of Clent’s
earliest childhood memories was attending the auction with
his family who purchased a number of the Barnsley keep sakes
and many of the family papers. Over the next forty years,
the estate fell into decay. Although its future looked very
bleak, Clent Coker had a connection that could not and would
not be broken.
For many years he had longed to see the old estate restored
to its former glory. He had wholeheartedly encouraged its
owners to allow such a restoration but several attempts to
purchase and restore the property had proven unsuccessful.
As Clent watched the historic buildings continue to crumble,
he had still hoped to find a savior to keep the Barnsley
story alive and to rescue his fantasy before it faded into
oblivion.
The dream finally came true in 1988 when Bavarian Prince
Hubertus Fugger purchased the property as a land and timber
investment. Clent pleaded with the new owner to preserve the
ruins of this great historic landmark, so important to his
past and the very essence of Prince Fugger’s new investment.
After meeting with Clent and becoming caught up in his
stories, the Prince agreed and the project was soon under
way, with Clent Coker, and the horticulturist Steve Wheaton
along with a small crew of workers excavating the history
from beneath fifty years of neglect.
Today, Clent is often referred to as the Barnsley
storyteller. He has lectured to various organizations
throughout the Southeast as well as corporate groups who
travel from near and far to visit Barnsley Gardens Resort.
His lectures include a number of other outstanding events of
Southern history that a eager public seem to relish. During
the presentations, one can learn about the Barnsley’s
involvement with Georgia’s Cherokee Indian nation, the
devastating war between the states, the turbulent days of
southern reconstruction, and finally the raw hunger of the
1930’s American Depression.
Clent Coker is the author of “Barnsley Gardens The
Illustrious Dream”, a 260 page, photo filled hard cover book
that is now in its 10th print and has received good reviews.
For the past decade, Clent Coker has been writing a series
of screen scripts covering the unique Barnsley stories, to
be presented for film productions.
Highlights of Clent’s stories have been featured in various
publications, including Golf Digest and Southern Living.
He has appeared on a number of local and national television
interviews, including the history channel.
Clent is available for lecture presentations and book
signings for corporate functions, convention and travel
groups, and other special interest events.
Please view our contact page for further information.