It was discovered by German-American astronomer Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters on August 12. 1883 in Clinton, New York. It is possibly named for Saint Barbara, patron saint of mathematicians.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/234_Barbara

Christian Heinrich Friedrich Peters was also a professor at Hamilton College in New York.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Heinrich_Friedrich_Peters

Seems like he enjoyed irritating authoritarian religious citizens.

https://spaceweathergallery2.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=231764

Some nearby stars reveal themselves by their proper motion over a period of time from approximately 1955 to the present day.

Distance from the Sun (au) : 2,66

Time: 21:46UT 2026-05-17 Exp. 15 x 5 sec.
Tel. 0.254m f/5.8 ST-10XME CCD @ -21°C 1.9"/pix
Odd Trondal Obs.code 238 (Uranium). Oslo Norway.