After offering Scout sleepovers for a few years and hosting the inaugural Adult Sleepover in May, the Barker Mansion in Michigan City welcomes families for an overnight event.
The inaugural Family Sleepover takes place Nov. 4 at the monument of industry, charity and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City.
“They literally get to sleep with history so it’s totally immersive. The mansion and its elegance is going to be the last thing they see when they go to bed and the first thing they see when they wake up,” said Jessica Rosier, director of the Barker Mansion, which highlights the legacy of its namesake family.
“Most people come for a tour that lasts an hour and they leave, but these people are getting to stay for a good 15 hours’ worth of time. They get to live the past in that way.”
Participants should arrive in their pajamas since there is nowhere to change. They are expected to bring sleeping bags or air mattresses.
“We’re going to do a pizza party and a self-guided tour of the entire mansion. Then we’re going to break out into a special kids activity. While that’s happening, the adults will get their own program so any mom and dad will be entertained as well,” said Rosier, of Michigan City.
“Then we’re going to watch the movie ‘Night at the Museum.’ Then it’s light out about 11 p.m.”
The event, which wraps with a continental breakfast the next morning, is geared toward ages 5-15 with their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and/or grandparents.
“We’ve got, believe it or not, a bathroom (for guests to sleep in) because it’s actually one of people’s favorite rooms when they tour the mansion. It’s a huge bathroom. It’ll sleep two people and the fixtures in there are just amazing for the time. It was built in 1905 so it’s just a beautiful elegant bathroom that sleeps two,” Rosier said.
“We’ve also got the governess’s room. That is where Catherine Barker’s teacher lived. She was an Irish immigrant who would teach Catherine here in the mansion but she would also travel with her when they went abroad.
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“Then we’ve got another room that sleeps two — the old master bedroom. This is part of the 1857 house and it’s painted a peacock blue color. This is where Catherine Barker’s grandparents would come and stay when they visited from New Hampshire.
“We’ve got a room that sleeps four — the dining room. This is also in the old 1857 part of the house. If people are into woodwork, this is definitely a room that they will want to be in. It has some amazing carvings. I also have a library, which sleeps four and is another great room for carvings.”
Although a family has a designated room, they may have to pass through another reserved room to use the bathroom due to the layout of bedrooms on the second floor where all rooms are connected through interior doors. Also, the separation between the ballroom and the schoolroom is a curtain.
“This is really a re-creation of our Scout sleepovers,” Rosier said.
“When the Scouts come they all camp out in the drawing room on the first floor so they just all share that room. With the Family Sleepover, families are able to reserve specific rooms through the entire mansion. If people have a favorite room that they just love, this is their chance to go and sleep in it.”
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Family Sleepover
When: 6 p.m. Nov. 4
Where: The Barker Mansion, 631 Washington St., Michigan City
Rates: $45 (for two)-$180 (for nine)
Information: 219-873-1520; www.barkermansion.com