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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: Feb. 23-March 1
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, February 25: The War Department will send 500 men to Indianapolis high schools Emmerich Manual Training and Arsenal Technical April 1 for specialty training in blacksmithing, automobile repair, and gunsmithing. Purdue University will provide instruction on airplane making, and students will be taught in the … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Feb. 16-22
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, February 20: The Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce war contract bureau has been so successful in obtaining war contracts for Indiana businesses that in many parts of the United States it is known as the “Indianapolis Plan.” Through its Washington, DC office, the Chamber of Commerce … Read More
200 Years Ago: Feb. 16-22
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, February 21: Jacob Dorsey Forrest, general manager of the Citizens Gas Co, notified city officials today “that every public and private consideration at this time warrants the complete suspension of gas main extensions.” Although franchise requirements for extensions amount to 35,840 feet per year, during … Read More
100 Years Ago: Feb. 9-15
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, February 12: After attending a showing of the motion picture film Cleopatra at the Circle Theater last evening, Mayor Charles Jewett announced four scenes should be cut from the film before today’s matinee performance because they are “a bit too salacious for Indianapolis” and “purely … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Feb. 9-15
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, February 12: The Indianapolis Automobile Trade Association offered its services and cars to Gov. Goodrich and the State Council of Defense for a new militant guard battalion of the Liberty Guards called the Gasoline Rangers. Capt. George Harney said the automobile equipment of the Gasoline … Read More