An Indiana Historical Society traveling exhibit focused on World War I is displayed in Michigan City at a place that has several connections to the war.
“The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines” is in the Barker Mansion’s remodeled basement space through Feb. 9.
“We have a really good relationship with the Indiana Historical Society down in Indianapolis. They help us out on various projects especially in taking care of artifacts and providing guidance on how we should store textiles,” said Jessica Rosier, director of the Barker Mansion.
“We became aware that they have a couple of exhibits that they will loan out for free if you’re a nonprofit museum. We really liked ‘The Great War’ one because we thought it fit well with our story at the mansion and the Barkers had some involvement in the war.”
“The Great War” explores the impact that wartime demand for steel, machinery and equipment had on Indiana including Gary and also explores the construction of the American Legion Building and the Indiana War Memorial.
“It’s seeing how Indiana experienced the war, whether it was German immigrants who couldn’t get a job or faced discrimination just because of where they came from to Americans and women having to step up while their people were away,” said Rosier, of Michigan City.
“Here in Michigan City it really impacted the town. Our mayor, Martin Krueger, was of German descent so that was pretty interesting to have during the World War.
“We have ties to the Haskell & Barker Car Co. that the mansion got its name for. They had women working in the factory because there just weren’t guys to do it.”
The exhibit can be viewed during free Friday programs, including “The Red Cross Meets the Mansion” on Jan. 19, when TJ Kalin shares Catherine Barker’s contribution on the home front in Michigan City including how the Red Cross moved into the mansion during the first World War.
Bailey Roberts presents “God on the Home Front” Jan. 26 about the YMCA’s ties to the Great War when the YMCA was a spiritual force for soldiers on the front lines, providing food, comfort and salvation. The presentation includes the Barker family’s ties to the YMCA in Michigan City.
The Friday programs conclude Feb. 2 with Jackie Perkins presenting “Beyond the War Years” about the post-war history of the mansion, which was used by Purdue University as a satellite campus. Many of the Purdue-Barker students were soldiers enrolled through the GI Bill.
“There’s always something new here,” said Rosier about what made the Barker Mansion a good place to explore “The Great War” exhibit.
“Even though we’re 161 years old we’re always creating new exhibits. We’re always finding new things in the archives so our story is always evolving and always changing. We’re not a place that you can say, ‘OK, I’ve been there once. I don’t need to go back.’
“We want people to come back again and again. We want people to realize we’re always fresh. Especially in January when it’s so cold people want to stay home but we are a warm, inviting, cozy mansion.”
“The Great War” also may be viewed during guided mansion tours at 1 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and self-guided mansion tours from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. The exhibit is free but donations will be accepted during 5-7 p.m. programs Jan. 19 and 26 and Feb. 2 Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth or seniors during tours.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
‘The Great War: From Ration Lines to the Front Lines’
When: through Feb. 9
Where: The Barker Mansion, 631 Washington St., Michigan City
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Admission: Free admission
Information: 219-873-1520; www.barkermansion.com