For those who have been meaning to check out the Barker Mansion during the holiday season, Saturday marks the last chance to do so.
That is when Christmas Closing Event offers self-guided tours, hot chocolate and Barker Mansion tea, and children’s paper crafts using items that would have been saved during the Victorian era. Guided tours will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
“We’ve been celebrating Christmas for over two decades but this is only the second year that we’ve been adding special events during the Christmas season,” said Jessica Rosier, director of the Barker Mansion since 2015.
“I knew that Christmas at the Barker Mansion was a big deal. We’ve got a lot of visitors for just regular tours wanting to come to see the trees. I really wanted to offer things especially for kids, which is where the kids’ crafts come in.”
New is decorating by Michigan City-based nonprofit groups and volunteers including the Exchangette Club, Footlight Players, HealthLinc, Keys to Hope Community Resource Center, Michigan City National Honor Society, Queen of All Saints Catholic Church’s Tapped In, and the Tri Kappa Delta Mu Chapter.
Hesston Steam Museum also set up a train display, which includes the smallest working steam engine from the museum’s collection, in the ballroom.
“Each room has its own theme that the group chose so we’ve got everything from ‘Christmas is for Cardinals’ to ‘Angels Among Us’ to ‘A Musical Yuletide’ so it’s all across the board. We did keep the decorations more in the Victorian era in terms of looks,” said Rosier, of Michigan City.
Also new is the chance to vote on a favorite room. The winning nonprofit receives a cash prize.
“We really want to get the community more involved in Barker Mansion. We want to be very much a part of the community and a place that they can come for parties, come for meetings and bring their out-of-town guests,” Rosier said.
“This is one way we can do that and get them excited about being here and wanting their friends to come here. It’s nice to open our doors and get fresh faces in here.”
Upcoming events at the Barker Mansion include the free Michigan City Memorabilia Show & Tell at 11 a.m. Jan. 28, Behind the Scenes Tour at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 and Wild Women & Wine at 7 p.m. March 31 to celebrate Women’s History Month.
“We try to do something big each month,” Rosier said.
“If they’ve been meaning to visit they should make Dec. 31 their day to visit since it’s the end of the year. It’s just our last big hurrah before the end of the holiday season. It does happen on New Year’s Eve so you can see us as a great way to usher out the year, as well.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Christmas Closing Event
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Barker Mansion, 631 Washington St., Michigan City
Admission: $8 adults; $5 ages 15 and younger
Information: 219-873-1520 or www.barkermansion.com
