Barker Mansion – Michigan City, Indiana
The Barker Mansion was the home of the Barker family for only 5 years before Mrs. Barker died in May of 1910 and her husband died in December of the same year. Their daughter, Catherine, was left an orphan, a very rich orphan, at the age of 14. She attended preparatory school and a finished school in New York although she retained the house in Michigan City as her home. She was only there intermittently after her marriage in 1930 so in 1948 she gave the homestead to Purdue University for a study center. In 1968 the ownership of the home reverted to the Barker Welfare Foundation of which Catherine was president. It was from the Foundation that the home was then presented to the city.
Visiting the Barker Mansion allows students to broaden their knowledge of Indiana’s industrial heritage, the early history of Michigan City and surrounding area, and the role of the Barker family in the development of the community.
There are programs on Victorian lifestyles, early 1900’s school life, and clue problem solving skills.
The tour of the Mansion begins with a video about the history of Michigan City and the Barker family. The actual hour of the mansion highlights the Barker furnishings and the lifestyle of a well-to-do Victorian family. This tour is suitable for K-12 and offered from February through October.
The Early 1900’s Schoolroom Tours a hands-on turn-of-the-century classroom program presented in Catherine Barker’s third- floor schoolroom. A slate board is provided for each child to complete classroom activities. Games, singing, and reciting exercises are also included. This tour is suitable for grades 3-5 and is limited to thirty students; it is offered from February through October.
The Clue Games a lesson in following directions as students complete a word search puzzle. They solve the mystery of the theft of Barker silver by recording clues found throughout the Mansion in a “detective log booklet.” This game is suitable for grades 3-6, is limited to thirty students, and is offered from February through October.
Location: Barker Mansion
631 Washington Street
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
Phone: 219-873-1520
Open Year Round
Guided Tours:
10:00AM, 11:30AM and 1:00PM
Monday through Friday
(All year)
Saturday and Sunday at
Noon and 2:00PM, June through October
(Weekend hours may vary for special events
– please call for updates)
Closed Holidays
Donations
Adults – $4.00
Children 4 to 18 – $2.00
Children 3 and under – FREE
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