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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: Aug. 31-Sept. 6
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, September 6: The Indianapolis public safety board today announced changes to the recent plans for handling traffic and vehicle parking in the congested downtown district. The board heard suggestions and complaints since implementing the regulations, and this final revision will result in the greatest good … Read More
Dignified, Yet Newsy
Today, we text and tweet. A student told me Facebook is for grandparents, and if you want to get your message out use Instagram. She also said if the phone rings, it’s not “Hello,” but “Who died?” The contemporary world is all about instant news. However, there remains a few … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Aug. 224-30
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, August 26: The 90-acre new Scout camp along Fall Creek, west of Ft. Benjamin Harrison, was formally dedicated on Saturday. Eighty-five Boy Scouts performed stunts – a tug of war; a boxing match; water fights and a game of water polo – before one hundred … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Aug. 24-30
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, August 22: C. Roltare Eggleston, chairman of the Indianapolis Four-Minute Men, has notified the Committee on Public Information in Washington, DC that the organization is almost at full strength and ready to serve the government. The group of volunteer speakers will be available to give … Read More
World War I 100 Years: Aug. 17-23
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, August 21: Yesterday evening, the city’s downtown streets were filled with cheering, shouting, and singing as 1,258 African American men, escorted by a platoon of mounted police and patriotic black organizations waving flags and banners, marched enthusiastically to Tomlinson Hall to hear “Godspeed” and blessings … Read More