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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. 22-28
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, August 27, 1925: The official count in the Better Babies Contest has found 1,120 babies eligible for participation in the event to name the best baby boy and the best baby girl in Indiana. This year’s number of eligible entrants is more than 200 babies … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 15-21
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, August 19, 1925: The main spectacle of Greater Indianapolis Week was this afternoon’s parade witnessed by thousands of residents and visitors. The largest parade in the city’s history included approximately 18,000 participants riding or marching along behind 1,400 elaborately decorated floats, and hundreds of automobiles, … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Aug. 8-14
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, August 14, 1925: Hog calling and fiddling were the most popular contests at the Marion County Old Settlers’ Association picnic in Broad Ripple Park yesterday afternoon. Not all the 1,000 picknickers were old settlers, but they included many members of their families and friends. Following … Read More
100 Years Ago: Aug. 1-7
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, August 1, 1925: More than $15,000 (2024: $273,986) worth of liquor was destroyed yesterday afternoon in the basement of the county jail. Under the direction of Marion County sheriff Omer Hawkins, more than fifty people interested in the enforcement of the liquor law uncorked bottles … Read More
Hey, Where ‘Ya From?: Part 2
Four hundred years ago, my ninth great grandfather Thomas Blossom came to America with his family seeking religious liberty. One hundred years ago, my maternal grandfather Harold Dickinson came to America with his family seeking economic opportunities. Others had ancestors coming to America seeking security from persecution and other forms … Read More