Visit the Mansion
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. Explore its 38 rooms and beautiful gardens. Experience Michigan City history.
Featured Events
Connect with history and experience the Gilded Age at one of our upcoming featured events. The Barker Mansion also offers general admission and guided tours.
Candlelight Tour: Gilded Age Holiday Evening
Step back in time to an enchanting era during “The Gilded Age Holiday Evening” at the historic Barker Mansion. With
General Admission (Featuring Visit with Santa)
Take a step back in time this holiday season with a visit to the Barker Mansion. When you walk through
General Admission (Featuring Visit with Santa)
Take a step back in time this holiday season with a visit to the Barker Mansion. When you walk through
Polar Express PJ Party
Recommended for children ages 4-10. All aboard! Join us for a magical Polar Express PJ Party where children can come
Candlelight Tour: Gilded Age Holiday Evening
Step back in time to an enchanting era during “The Gilded Age Holiday Evening” at the historic Barker Mansion. With
General Admission (Featuring Visit with Santa)
Take a step back in time this holiday season with a visit to the Barker Mansion. When you walk through
General Admission (Featuring Visit with Santa)
Take a step back in time this holiday season with a visit to the Barker Mansion. When you walk through
See More Events
The Barker Mansion is open six days weekly. With events for adults, children, families, and history enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone. Guided tours are available to individuals and groups, or choose general admission for a self-guided tour of the mansion and gardens.
Featured Exhibit
The Barker Mansion’s permanent exhibit.
Join us at the revolutionary Haskell & Barker factory as we embark on the journey of a boxcar and explore the city where it all started.
We illuminate the present by bringing the past to life
Built in 1857 by John Barker and remodeled in the early 1900s, The Barker Mansion stands as a testament to the success and innovation of the Barker family and a prime example of luxury in the Gilded Age. Through their industrial enterprises, the Barker family helped define the Midwest as a center of trade and commerce. Their home set the tone for opulence and culture during the Gilded Age by honoring the grace and beauty of the past while calling upon the brilliance of progressive architecture and design. The Barker Mansion opened as Museum and Civic Center in 1970 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Today, The Barker Mansion serves to interpret the history of the Barker legacy and its context within Michigan City, Indiana. We accomplish this through interpretive tours, exhibits, lectures, education, and other public programs. The Mansion is also available for wedding and event rentals.
The Barker Mansion’s architecture, collections, and social history create a living museum for both the scholar and casual visitors. The Mansion operates as a non-profit institution for schools, civic and cultural groups, and the public at large.
Portrait of Catherine Barker Hickox
Book Your Special Event Today
From weddings and baby showers to birthdays and anniversaries; plan your event with the historic Barker Mansion as the backdrop.
Plan A Visit
Our History
Over the years, The Barker Mansion has witnessed pivotal moments in American history and served as a social hub during the Gilded Age. Our historical timeline is woven with stories of resilience, innovation, and community. We invite you to take a step back in time and experience the legacy of the Barker Family…
Event Rentals
The Barker Mansion and grounds offer a beautiful historic background for any event. Our outdoor formal gardens and sophisticated indoor spaces are perfectly equipped to accommodate both intimate gatherings and large-scale events…
Visit The Mansion
The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, charity, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family through community events…
Learn More
Open for The Holidays
Future Events
Philanthropy & Construction Update
Our Latest Reviews
Absolutely breathtaking beauty and so much history! Highly recommend to go see it, and book for your special event!
Went for a tour today after the mansion was recently renovated. Our tour guide was funny, energetic, and informative. Highly recommended for those of us who enjoys history, art, and architecture.
Our group decided to purchase the guided tour and we're so glad we did. Michele has a passion for her job as Operations Manager and provided a great tour with lots of details. Her sparkling personality and knowledge of the mansion made our time there memorable and fun! Be sure to follow them on their social media pages for special events they hold throughout the year, especially Christmas! Enjoy!
Great museum! Michelle was amazing, energetic and informative. Make sure you do the guided tour, you will not be disappointed.
This place is a destination worthy jewel. Extensively (and kind of incredibly) restored over the last couple years. We were going to skip the tour and stumbled onto Craig’s tour. It’d be great without a tour guide but is 10X more interesting with the tour because the house and family have a really interesting history. Loved it
Wow, I was absolutely blown away by the stunning beauty of this place! As a huge fan of the Gilded Age, I was thrilled when my husband and I decided to stop by and explore the Mansion. We’re from Atlanta, and I had never heard of the Baker family before this visit, so it was a delightful surprise. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by Craig, who was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable. He answered all of our questions with enthusiasm and made us feel right at home. In the basement, Jack took over, and his passion for the exhibit was palpable. He pointed out hidden gems and offered insights that we might have otherwise missed, showcasing his genuine interest in his role. Upstairs, although I didn’t catch her name, the young lady was equally impressive. She guided us through with ease and answered our queries with a smile. Every member of the staff contributed to an exceptional experience, and we were thoroughly impressed by their dedication. The Mansion itself was a treasure trove of beauty and history, with every corner offering a new photo opportunity. We loved our self-guided tour and can’t wait to return during the Christmas season to see the holiday decorations. If you’re passionate about historical places and rich history, this is definitely an A+ destination. We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone in the area!
We were so glad to have went to a tour and after we were done the nice lady and her son gave us so much more details on the home and the family they were incredible.
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