Welcome to The Barker Mansion

Explore The Barker Mansion's 38 rooms and beautiful garden. Attend an exhibit, or host your next party, event, or corporate function.

Plan Your Visit

Ornate living room in Barker Mansion, Michigan City, featuring a green patterned carpet, coffered ceiling, large windows with sheer curtains, antique furniture, a grand piano, lamps, and a framed painting above the fireplace.

Featured Events

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Gilded Page Book Club – “Ragtime” by E.L. Doctorow

Wed, Nov 19 • 6:00 pm

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN

Whiskey, History & The Gilded PageStep into the drama, decadence, and dazzling contradictions of America’s Gilded Age—whiskey glass in hand….

A promotional graphic for the Gilded Page Book Club at the Barker Mansion features the cover of "Ragtime" by E.L. Doctorow, event details for November 19, and the word "Journeyman" at the bottom. An ornate library is in the background.

History Hour: In His Own Words: The W.A. Jones Gun Collection

Sun, Nov 23 • 12:00 pm

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN

Each History Hour offers a new perspective, blending local history with broader historical themes for a truly enriching experience. Dive…

The Barker Christmas Cottage

Tue, Dec 2 • 11:00 am

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN

Step into the heart of holiday magic at The Barker Christmas Cottage, where festive charm and holiday traditions come to…

A dark blue cottage with white trim and railings is shown in winter, framed by red and gold Christmas ornaments. Text reads, "Christmas at The Barker Cottage." Snow is gently falling in the scene.

The Barker Christmas Cottage

Wed, Dec 3 • 11:00 am

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN

Step into the heart of holiday magic at The Barker Christmas Cottage, where festive charm and holiday traditions come to…

The Barker Christmas Cottage

Thu, Dec 4 • 11:00 am

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN

Step into the heart of holiday magic at The Barker Christmas Cottage, where festive charm and holiday traditions come to…

The Barker Christmas Cottage

Fri, Dec 5 • 11:00 am

631 Washington St, Michigan City, IN

Step into the heart of holiday magic at The Barker Christmas Cottage, where festive charm and holiday traditions come to…

Experience the Gilded Age

Built in 1857, The Barker Mansion is a monument to Gilded Age architecture and commemorates the Barker family’s influence in shaping the railway landscape of the American Midwest.

Tickets and Tours

Explore The Barker Mansion on your own in a self-guided tour, or learn while guided by one of our expert museum specialists.

A spacious, elegant bedroom at Barker Mansion in Michigan City features two ornate beds, a chandelier, vintage armchairs with a side table, large windows with curtains, intricate moldings, framed paintings, and a fireplace with decorative lamps.

Haskell & Barker Car Company and The Legacy of Freight

Travel to 1830's Michigan City. The exhibit pays tribute to the Haskell & Barker freight car factory through state-of-the-art visual displays.

A museum exhibit room at Barker Mansion in Michigan City features wooden floors, white brick walls, industrial ceiling pipes, framed historical photos on the walls, and a large scale model display table in the center.

Host Your Event at The Barker Mansion

Weddings & Private Events

From weddings to birthday celebrations to corporate parties and trainings, The Barker Mansion is the perfect event venue.

A bride and groom stand together smiling in front of an ornate fireplace at Barker Mansion in Michigan City, an elegant, wood-paneled room with red curtains. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a white dress; the groom wears a dark suit.

Spaces & Rentals

The Barker Mansion offers a wide variety of spaces with flexible capacities to accomodate your guests and event type.

A covered outdoor walkway at Barker Mansion in Michigan City features a peaked white roof, white columns, wicker chairs with floral cushions, hanging ferns, and brick flooring bordered by a brick wall and lush landscaped greenery.

The Mansion

Learn all about The Barker Mansion and why it's a great place to visit or host your next gathering or special event.

A historic two-story brick building with ornate architectural details, Barker Mansion is nestled in Michigan City, surrounded by landscaped gardens, trees, and a sidewalk under a bright blue sky.

Location and Hours

The Barker Mansion

General admission, Legacy of Freight exhibit, regularly scheduled events, and functions and weddings by reservation.

Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Closed: Mondays

Closed on Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.

Visit The Mansion

The Barker Mansion, a large brick building with ornate architecture, stands in the background of Michigan City, surrounded by well-maintained green lawns, shrubs, and blooming pink flowers under a partly cloudy sky.

Reviews

Hear what our customers are saying. Your feedback matters, and The Barker Mansion is proud to share the voices of those who have visited us.

Katie Baer

October 31, 2025

This Barker Mansion is absolutely gorgeous! As a historic home lover, I was anxiously awaiting the opening while the restoration was going on. When tours and events started they did not disappoint! The tour guides are knowledgeable and the house is absolutely bursting with beautiful antiques and architectural details to discover. My husband and I have taken both a regular house tour and a candlelight tour, both of which we greatly enjoyed. I wish I could get married all over again, so I could have my wedding at the Barker Mansion!

Sabrina Persin

October 21, 2025

My husband and I are longtime, local residents and have passed this Mansion a thousand times and always wanted to stop. We recently (and finally!) booked tickets for a guided tour and it was AMAZING and our guide Craig was PHENOMENAL. Very, very interesting and totally worth it. We look forward to participating in other events they may have at the Mansion.

Jeff Demko

October 19, 2025

Beautiful mansion with a fascinating history. The staff was great, they were very knowledgeable; answered questions and offered information. This is a place to visit multiple times throughout the year. The decorations change with the seasons/holidays. We can't wait to see it at Christmas!

Tiffany Patterson

October 13, 2025

What a great find in the area. Very interesting and interactive tour of the mansion with pieces of unique history to the area. Thank you for providing free admission to veterans.

John N.

October 3, 2025

Very nice self-guided tour. Polite and informative staff. Great local history.

Jessica O'Brien

September 29, 2025

I’ve visited Barker Mansion many times, but today’s open house was especially charming. The staff was absolutely wonderful, as always, and the mansion itself never fails to impress with its beauty and history. My favorite part of this visit was the harpist. She played beautifully, was so talented and kind, even chatted with us and took a few requests. Such a special touch that made the experience unforgettable. Can’t wait to go back! If you’re planning a visit to Michigan City, or if you live here, I highly recommend a guided tour!

Alisande Read

September 28, 2025

Very interesting house. I wish I had taken the tour … I tagged along for a while and learned a lot!

Laura Vandercar

September 6, 2025

Beautiful mansion to visit.

Rita Crouse

September 4, 2025

Very nice place to learn about how it was to be ultra rich in 1910 and how that wealth was acquired. Loved the marble bathrooms and fixtures. Glad it still remains as a testament to its time. Very nicely put together, restored and maintained.

Patty MacArthur

August 28, 2025

Wow! Our tour guide, Craig, was amazing. So much history! The renovations done so far are amazing! I highly recommend taking a guided tour at this beautiful mansion.

Alyssa Nelson

August 25, 2025

Stunning mansion, impeccably preserved. Well worth a visit!

Sherri Silcox

August 16, 2025

We chose Barker Mansion garden for my daughter's wedding shower. I wish I could give the experience more than five stars! The process was simple, the space was beautiful and extremely well manicured, and the customer service was exceptional. Craig was a joy to work with and his entire staff is top notch. I highly recommend them for any event or celebration!