MICHIGAN CITY | Barker Mansion presents "Holidays Everywhere", a look at the diverse and traditional customs and holiday celebrations in 11 countries.

Three floors of festive decorations reflect the style of each country. St. Nicholas and chimney ash covered Pete of the Netherlands greet guests in the main foyer. In the Library, Prince Albert admires a German-style tree and in the Drawing Room, the three-tiered Italian Ceppo holds the holy family, candles, and greenery.

The newly decorated Dining Room depicts a traditional English tea and the Butler's Pantry illustrates festive treats from all the countries. Candles in the windows shine in the colonial Williamsburg themed Master Bedroom. A French mime, a Polish blue robed St. Nicholas, and United Kingdom Boxer Day festivities complete the second floor decorations. The celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa share the third floor with contemporary festivities of the United States.

A museum gift shop located in Barker's office features Victorian Christmas ornaments, gift items, books, teapots and tea accessories. Barker Mansion's commemorative-boxed English Breakfast tea and Barker Mansion brass Christmas ornaments are also available

Open House viewing begins Dec. 3 and extends through Dec. 18.

Open House hours are noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Saturday hours will extend to 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 10 and 17.

"Christmas by Candlelight" is 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. The Mansion closes Dec. 24, 25 and Jan. 1. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more. For information, call (219)873-1520.

Barker Mansion, on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at 631 Washington St., Michigan City, one block east of Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/holidays-everywher...l#ixzz1dyQIzoRe

Barker Mansion prepares to showcase 'Holidays Everywhere'

Mary Kintzele, executive housekeeper at the Barker Mansion, stands with a mannequin portraying Prince Albert, the late husband of the late Queen Victoria of England, as Albert, a native of Germany, admires the tree Kintzele decorated in the library. The library is decorated for Christmas in a German theme.
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, November 28, 2011 5:08 PM CST
MICHIGAN CITY — An angel cradling the infant Jesus in her arms presides over the Advent Wreath in the regal library. Four candles adorn the wreath, marking the four Sundays in Advent, the season in which some denominations of Christians prepare for the birth of Christ.

In one corner of the library stands a stately Christmas tree, decorated by and lighted for the season.

The handsome visitor admiring the tree is none other than Prince Albert, husband and prince-consort to Queen Victoria. A native of Germany, Albert undoubtedly knew that Germany gave Christmas trees to the world. Albert is portrayed by one of the Barker Mansion's own mannequins.

It's all part of the Barker Mansion Holiday Tour in December, which will have the theme "Holidays Everywhere." The mansion is located at 631 Washington St.

*
The library was decorated this year by Mary Kintzele, executive housekeeper to the mansion, who placed both a real bird's nest and a pickle on the tree.

About the pickle, she says the tradition is that the first person to spot it on Christmas morning receives an extra gift.

The bird's nest? "I love birds and the nest is supposed to bring good luck."

It might be best for visitors to avoid setting eyes on the great pocket door that closes the library off from the foyer. Some people think they see the devil's face in the door, Kintzele notes, "but really, the pattern just developed from the way the tree grew."

Out in that foyer, Cecelia Zubler, executive director of the mansion, ran into St. Nicholas himself, all dressed in red cape and mitre, his white beard well-groomed for the season. Like Albert, Nicholas is a Barker mannequin playing a role.

In the drawing room, a beautiful female mannequin admires a tree the Italians might decorate. Catherine Barker?

"Maybe," says Zubler, a twinkle in her eye.

In another corner of the large room, a feather tree (yes, it's made from real feathers), decorates a table.

The theme for this year's Barker Mansion Holiday Tour is "Holidays Everywhere," said Zubler.

"We rotate the themes from season to season," she added. "This year we have added a Hanukkah room and a Kwanzaa Room."

Altogether, she said, rooms on all three floors of the house are dedicated to the people and cultures of various cultures and their Christmas customs.

The Barker Mansion staff is still preparing for visitors, adding finishing touches.

In that foyer, where St. Nicholas receives visitors, the represented culture is The Netherlands. "It isn't set up yet," Zubler said during a short interview on Sunday, "but we will have an ice skating pond made of mirrors in here and a couple of skaters."

This season is especially prized by those who are devoted to the Barker Mansion, modeled after the grand homes of Victorian England.

Built by John Barker, who built the Barker and Haskell Car Company, it eventually passed to his only heir, his daughter Catherine, who presented it to the city of Michigan City.

"We hope people will come to enjoy the mansion with us this holiday season," Zubler said. "And we hope we'll see lots of children who can learn so much about the city's history here."

If you go

This is the Barker Mansion holiday visiting schedule. The mansion is located at 631 Washington St. in Michigan City.

From Saturday, Dec. 3 to Sunday, Dec. 18:

• Visitors are welcome to tour the mansion's three floors of decorated rooms on weekends, on Saturdays noon to 7 p.m. and Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m.

And:

• Monday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m.

After Dark Tour:

• 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16.

Yuletide Guided Tours:

• Monday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 15, only at regular tour times of 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The mansion is closed Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 24 and 25 and Sunday, Jan. 1.

Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for youth age 18 and under and free for children age 3 and under.