Located downtown Michigan City the city has transferred ownership of the Historic Barker Mansion to “The Barker Welfare Foundation.”
The Barker Mansion is a historic home and living museum that seeks to preserve the history of the Barker family business and philanthropy in Michigan City. Tours, exhibits, programs and events provide it’s usefulness to the local community. In addition, the mansion provides school, civic, cultural meetings, weddings and private events for residents and visitors.
“I am very grateful to the Michigan City Mayor Duane Perry, General Counsel Amber Lapaich, the Michigan City Common Council and the Board of Public Works and Safety for approving this transer,” said Alex Ross, President of the Barker Welfare Foundation, and grandson of Catherine Barker Hickox.
Donated to the city in 1968 by Ross’s grandparents, the mansion was intended for use as a civic center. Now it is time for restoration and maintenance and operation changes for the mansion. The Mansion is currently closed and under going a $2 million restoration project, funded by the Barker Welfare Foundation.
There will be new wiring for the entire mansion, new fire and security systems, New HVAC systems, restoration of the Bridal Suite and the Mr. Barker’s Room, a new bluestone patio and tent for outdoor events, as well as restoring the garden to it’s original plan from 1910. Landscape restoration will be overseen by landscape architect Jens Jenson.
The lower level community meeting rooms are also being upgraded and new exhibits are planned, featuring a small scale model of the Haskell Barker Car Company Factory by Purdue NW College of Technology.
Additional restoration work will continue over the next three years from January through March, when the mansion will be closed.
Expected to open in Late Fall of 2021 for the popular Christmas Season at the Mansion, patrons and tourists will be able enjoy the historical holiday displays. Contact: barkermansion.org.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
