Michigan City’s Barker Mansion will reopen June 1 after three years of extensive renovations.
The Barker Mansion was built in 1857 by John Barker. The recent renovation included making repairs and updating the 120-year-old electrical wiring. The bridal suite and Mr. Barker’s room, with the original bathroom, was refreshed. The historic garden was restored with new plantings and pergolas.
The Barker family established the Haskell & Barker Car Co. in Michigan City. The company initially manufactured passenger and wood-structure freight rail cars. The manufacturing facility eventually spread over 100 acres and had 3,500 employees. At one time it produced 15,000 cars a year.
Beginning June 1, the Barker Mansion will start offering tours. In coming months, visitors will be able to attend exhibits, lectures, musical performances and galas. The mansion also will be available for rentals for weddings, meetings and other events. Learn more about the mansion here.
The Barker Mansion is filled with Michigan City history from the 1800s. It opened as a museum in 1970, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The mansion serves to interpret the history of the Barker legacy and its context within Michigan City.
