The Barker homestead, originally constructed in 1857, underwent significant expansion between 1905 and 1909, resulting in the current configuration where the first structure serves as the rear wing of the mansion.

The Barkers chose the Chicago architect Frederick Wainwright Perkins to design and supervise the expansion of the house. As completed, the Barker Mansion comprises 38 rooms, including seven fireplaces, and ten bathrooms. Most of the fireplaces are hand-carved marble, and the walnut and mahogany woodwork throughout the residence is especially beautiful. Sadly, the Barkers enjoyed the home as a family for only one year before Mr. and Mrs. Barker died in 1910. Their daughter Catherine dedicated herself to honoring her family’s legacy in Michigan City by ensuring the prized mansion would be useful. In this way, she offered the building to Purdue University, which used it as a study center from 1948-1968. After that, she gave it to Michigan City to serve as a historical house and civic center.

In 2021, the Barker Welfare Foundation took stewardship of the mansion, deepening the foundation’s long-established commitment to the Michigan City. Extensive restoration work has been undertaken, including refinishing all the teak wood floors throughout the main floor and grand staircase; repairing and restoring 127 original windows; updating the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems; and fully remodeling the lower level to house the new permanent exhibit, “The Haskell & Barker Car Company and The Legacy of Freight.” Additionally, the mansion’s walled garden now fully reflects landscape architect Jens Jensen’s design, commissioned by the Barkers more than a century ago.

With the assistance of family members and drawing on archival photographs and records, efforts to restore the Barker Mansion to its 1909 splendor continue. The dedicated leadership and staff of the mansion devote themselves to advancing awareness of the living legacy of the Barker family and freight car manufacturing in Michigan City. It is especially noteworthy that the complex restoration of the historical building and garden has been carried out by local contractors and craftspeople.