Barker Mansion Set for Holiday Season

“Historic White House Christmases” is the theme of this year’s holiday tour at the Barker Mansion, the turn-of-the-century home built by millionaire industrialist John Barker. The Barker family gave the historic property, located at 631 Washington Street, to the City of Michigan City for use as a civic center.

The holiday home tour has been a tradition since the late 1980s according to Cecilia Zubler, executive director. Zubler majored in American history in college and said she has wanted to use a White House Christmas theme for years. This seemed to be the right time, given the Presidential election and, coincidentally, the release of the acclaimed film, “Lincoln,” about former President Abraham Lincoln.

Those who take the tour, including some 700 students from area schools, will learn a lot about personalities and events that have shaped White House celebrations during 11 administrations, from 1861 to 2012. They will be able to impress friends and family with facts about the first President to pardon a White House turkey, the First Couple who had the only White House wedding, the truth behind the closet Christmas tree and other fascinating tidbits.

The guided tours are given by seasoned Barker staff members Mary Kintzele, Ann Jankowski, B. J. Parmley and Sarah Moon. They came up with unique ways of decking the halls and elegant rooms during months of research and concept development. Decorating began Nov. 1, when a forest of artificial trees, dozens of decorations, gobs of garlands and a cast of mannequins were pulled from storage and artfully arranged room by room. Members of the Michigan City High School Honors Society help set up the trees.

Parmley makes costumes for the mannequins – a total of 12 this year. She is a lifelong seamstress with a creative imagination who starts from scratch with muslin sheaths then makes patterns from fabric and trim she purchases. This year was particularly challenging because she had to create some original costumes from small photographs of First Ladies. Jackie Kennedy, who is posed in the nutcracker themed dining room, is attired in a pink gown with complicated draping that Parmly copied from an authentic piece worn by the First Lady.

Parmley has a playful spirit and names all of the mannequins, which come in different shapes, sizes and poses. Up until the moment the exhibit opened Dec. 1, she was fixing collars, trimming beards and tweaking mustaches. “I try to make them look like they’re alive.”

Jankowski enjoyed researching the Kennedys’ holiday menus and simulating them with faux food set up in the Barker kitchen, adjacent to the dining room.

Moon, the youngest and tallest Barker staff member, was tasked with stringing all of the Christmas tree lights. She used nearly 100 lilies to decorate the stunning 10-foot tree for Laura Bush’s 2005 “All Things Bright and Beautiful” celebration.

Kintzele is known for her elaborate decorating skills, said Parmley. “Any room she does is always loaded to the hilt. It glitters and always looks like a million bucks.”

Kintzele gave the special touches to the library, drawing room and dining room.

Zubler exercises her decorative talents in the foyer, which this year features the President who had the first decorated tree in the White House. Who was he? To find out, take the “Historic White House Christmases” tour.

Open house touring is Dec. 1-16, Monday through Friday from Noon to 3 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 4 p.m. Guided tours are given Dec. 17- Jan. 15, Monday through Friday at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays at Noon and 2 p.m. A special “Christmas by Candlelight” self-guided tour is Friday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for youth 18 and under. The Gift Shop is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from Noon to 4 p.m. For more information call 219-873-1520.