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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
World War I 100 Years Ago: July 6-12
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, July 8: The Woodruff Place Club, a community social center in Woodruff Place, will become the second soldiers’ recreational house in Indianapolis, and will be named the War Camp Community Service Recreational House. The large two-story clubhouse is near the Army Vocational School on the … Read More
100 Years Ago: July 6-12
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, July 11: The Indianapolis board of public safety adopted a sweeping reform of the city’s traffic regulations yesterday to lessen the congestion in the downtown district. Among the notable and radical features of the new regulations are: vehicle drivers will not be permitted to turn … Read More
Can the Kaiser
Today’s passion for urban gardening began in the months leading up to America’s entry into World War I when preparedness was the watchword and various measures were being taken for food conservation. One was “promoting the general cultivation of vacant lots,” and locally the Indianapolis News editorially recognized “the city … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: June 22-28 & June 29-July 5
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, June 25: A platoon of thirty-two young single women began infantry drill Monday evening at the Statehouse. Captain Sumner Clancy, of the state militia, conducted this first drill of Indianapolis women and complimented those present “on the enthusiasm which they displayed and their ability at … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: June 22-28 & June 29-July 5
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, June 28: The state supreme court decision declaring Indiana’s prohibition law constitutional has had a down-hearted effect on former saloon keepers and wholesale liquor dealers in Indianapolis. Most have been operating soft drink establishments in order to keep their rooms and fixtures in hope that … Read More