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Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

The Barker Mansion

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The Barker Mansion

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Barker Mansion, History Museum, 631 Washington Street, Michigan City, IN.
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The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, philanthropy, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family.

08/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night for Sip & Savor Summer at The Barker Mansion! 🍷✨ We hope you enjoyed an evening of wine, delicious bites, and the beautiful historic setting of the Mansion.

Missed out? Don’t worry—our next Mansion After Hours event is right around the corner!

🥃 Bourbon in the Ballroom
📅 Wednesday, September 30
📍 The Barker Mansion

Join us for a special evening in the Ballroom featuring bourbon, great company, and one of Michigan City’s most beautiful historic spaces.

Reserve your spot here: https://barkermansion.org/events/mansion-after-hours-bourbon-in-the-ballroom/

We hope to see you there!

08/26/2026

Answer is D, all of the above! 🛍️

By the late 19th century, department stores were changing the way Americans shopped. Customers could find everything from clothing and furniture to household goods all under one roof.

One of Chicago's most famous department stores was Marshall Field & Company, which became known for its enormous selection and exceptional service. Some of you might remember it! 😉

Both mattresses in the French Room have a Marshall Field & Company tag attached to it. Even though you can't see the mattresses due to the beautiful bedspreads, we thought we'd give you a peek at this little piece of Chicago retail history!

08/25/2026

What items could you find in a large department store during the Gilded Age?

A. Clothing
B. Furniture
C. Household goods
D. All of the above

📸: Library

Answer will be revealed tomorrow!

08/21/2026

Enjoy a minute of peace in our garden 🪴⛲️🌼

Come see it for yourself on Wednesday August 26th at 6pm during our Sip & Savor event where you can sample wine, enjoy some charcuterie, and take a self guided tour. Celebrate summer in Michigan City’s most beautiful historic setting. Perfect for date night or a fun girls night!

Only a few tickets remain! Purchase yours today! 🎟️

https://barkermansion.org/events/mansion-after-hours-sip-savor-in-the-historic-jens-jensen-garden/

08/19/2026

Answer is true! ☎️

Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone in 1876, and telephone service began spreading into homes and businesses in the following decades. By the late 19th century, having a telephone was becoming a sign of modern convenience.

📸: Mrs. Barker's telephone register and telephone located in the morning room

08/18/2026

True or False??

The telephone was already in use in American homes during the Gilded Age.

📸: Mr. Barker in his office with colleagues, June 25, 1907

08/17/2026

Thank you to Maya from Chicago for visiting The Barker Mansion—and for bringing a little history to life!

Dressed in a beautiful period costume, Maya was the perfect addition to the historic setting of the Mansion. We loved capturing these special moments during her visit! 📸🏛️

Thank you, Maya, for stepping back in time with us!

08/15/2026

✨ Did You Know?

Nearly 90% of the furnishings, décor, and personal belongings inside The Barker Mansion are original — offering a remarkable glimpse into the lives of the Barker family more than a century ago.

From the furniture and artwork to the smallest details tucked throughout the home, every room has a story to tell.

Come experience it for yourself and discover something new around every corner. 🏛️

🎟️ Plan your visit: barkermansion.org

08/14/2026

🏛️ THIS SUNDAY AT THE BARKER MANSION

Join us for our next History Hour: The Glessner House and the Family Who Shaped It, presented by William Tyre, Executive Director and Curator of Glessner House.

Discover the fascinating story of Chicago’s iconic Glessner House, the family who called it home, and the history preserved within its walls.

📅 Sunday, August 16
🕛 12:00 PM CT
📍 The Barker Mansion | 631 Washington St., Michigan City

Make an afternoon of it! Tickets are available with either a self-guided tour of The Barker Mansion or a guided Mansion tour at 1 PM.

🎟️ Tickets start at $20. Reserve your spot today!

08/12/2026

The answer is A, washing by hand! 🧼🩲 🫧

Laundry was a major household chore. Clothing was soaked, scrubbed, rinsed, and wrung out by hand before being hung to dry. For a large household, laundry day could be an enormous undertaking.

In the photo we shared yesterday, you may have noticed the small corner labeled for the dryer in the laundry room drawing. But this wasn’t a dryer like the ones we use today! A dryer very similar to the ad shown in this 1904 ad was once at the Barker Mansion.

Address

631 Washington Street
Michigan City, IN
46360

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Website

http://barkermansion.org/

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