Have you ever wondered what’s behind closed doors at the historic Barker Mansion? The popular Behind the Scenes Tours journey into the nooks and crannies of the building which are normally off-limits. Guests discover remnants of the past such as the central vacuum system, the furnace, and intricate electrical panels. The two-hour tour takes participants on back stairways and into the basement.
The Barker Mansion is located at 631 Washington Street in Michigan City, IN. The 38-room mansion was built by freight car industrialist and philanthropist John H. Barker in 1905, after he expanded onto his father’s original 1857 home on the same site. Barker took advantage of the mansion’s location right next to the Haskell and Barker Car Company, bringing many of the factory’s advanced mechanical amenities to the home.
The tour will be offered twice this spring, on March 24 and April 14 beginning at 5 pm Central Time. Cost is $15 per adult and $10 per senior or youth, 15 and under. Tours typically set out, and advance reservations are required via Eventbrite or by calling (219) 873-1520 ext. 5. For more information, visit www.barkermansion.com.