Mayor Duane Parry and the Barker Civic Center Commission is proud to announce the appointment of Sarah Berndt as the new Director of Barker Mansion and the appointment of five new Commissioners to the Board. The historic Barker Mansion lives as a monument of industry, charity, and turn-of-the-century life in Michigan City, highlighting the legacy of the Barker family through tours, special programs, and community event rentals, located at 631 Washington St. Sarah Berndt comes to the Barker Mansion with a background in museum leadership and decorative arts. She brings experience managing historic collections and expanding outreach as well as interpretive programming. Mayor Parry is pleased to announce the new five Board Members -Ed Beutner, aka “Captain Ed”, -John Leinweber, President of the Friendship Botanical Gardens -Ed Merrion, President of Citizens Concerned for the Homeless -Sarane H. Ross, Executive Director of The Barker Welfare Foundation and daughter of -Catherine Barker -Maggi Spartz, President of the Unity Foundation of LaPorte County These new commission members join current commissioners: -Thomas P. McCormick, President of Duneland Fine Homes and Treasurer of The Barker -Welfare Foundation -Alexander B. Ross, President of The Barker Welfare Foundation and grandson of Catherine Barker.