Holidays at the Barker Mansion
Start a family tradition. Visit the historic Barker Mansion to see it decorated for the Holidays.
Masks Are Required
Providing a healthy and safe environment for our staff and guests is our highest priority. In addition to following our comprehensive health and safety practices, we regularly adjust our operations to meet the most current guidance from state and local health departments during heightened periods of COVID-19.
Original Jensen Designs (1909-1910)
Jens Jensen (1860-1951) was a Danish-American landscape architect who played a prominent role in the development of the Prairie Style design aesthetic. These garden designs were commissioned Mr. and Mrs. Barker, though due to their untimely deaths in 1910, the garden design was never realized. We are excited to share that we are currently in the process of creating a Jensen garden inspired by these designs.
Jensen was key in the redesigning of several Chicago public parks, motivated by a commitment to the expansion of public spaces for everyone. He also designed several residential private gardens throughout the Midwest. Jensen loved the Indiana Dunes and was instrumental in the preservation of parts of the shoreline.
“No. 1 Sketch for Garden, Mr. & Mrs. Barker, Michigan City, Ind. July 1909”
“No. 2 Sketch for Garden, Mr. & Mrs. Barker, Michigan City, Ind. 1909”
[unnumbered] “Sketch for Formal Garden, Mr. & Mrs. Barker Michigan City, Ind., 1909”
“Residence No. 4 Sketch for remodeling formal garden of Mr. & Mrs. Barker, Michigan City, Ind.”