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Author Biography
Steven R. Barnett is Executive Director at the Irvington Historical Society.
Steve Barnett was raised in Irvington. Steve attended School #57, Howe High School (’63), and received a degree from Purdue University (’70). He served in the Indiana National Guard. After a brief hiatus from Irvington, Steve returned to his home town in 1977 with his wife Sue so their three children could grow up in a family friendly environment.
Steve had the good fortune of working with U. S. Representative Andy Jacobs, Jr. and U. S. Representative Julia Carson in the Indianapolis Congressional District Office helping constituents.
After his retirement, Steve became the executive director of the Irvington Historical Society and curator of the Bona Thompson Memorial Center until 2025. Steve was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Wallace G. Wilkinson for service to veterans, and he was appointed a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Joseph Kernan for service to Indiana. In 2016, Steve was named Marion County Historian.
Steven R. Barnett’s Story Archive
100 Years Ago: May 8-14
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, May 8, 1926: “Ethiopia at the Bar of Justice,” a pageant depicting the achievement of Negroes, will be presented at Caleb Mills Hall on Thursday. A large audience is expected to see 150 performers portray a cross section of Negro life in America with emphasis … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 1-7
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, May 1, 1926: The Indianapolis school board, in special session yesterday afternoon, voted 3 to 2 to build the new Shortridge High School at 34th and Meridian streets. While a board majority had favored a 46th St. and Washington Blvd. site, board president Theodore Vonnegut … Read More
Proclaim Liberty
“Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof” are the ancient words of scripture inscribed on the bell that once hung in the tower of the Pennsylvania State House. For almost a quarter of a century, the tocsin summoned legislators into session and alerted Philadelphians to public … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 24-30
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, April 26, 1926: The first broadcast of the opening Indians baseball game from Washington Park will be made Thursday through special arrangements by The Indianapolis Star and radio station WFBM. Fitting festivities will welcome Ownie Bush and his Indians back in town to play their … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 17-23
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, April 20, 1926: Articles of incorporation for the Indianapolis Airport Corporation were filed today with the secretary of state by the Chamber of Commerce airport board. The nonprofit organization was offered free use of the northeast quarter of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a commercial … Read More