-
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: March 2-8
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, March 2: A military recital to benefit the African American band of the 317th Engineer Regiment, of Camp Sherman, Ohio will be given at Caleb Mills Hall, southeast corner of Pennsylvania and North Streets, Monday evening under the auspices of the choir of Allen Chapel, … Read More
Ante Up
Happily tossing three coins in a Roman fountain may be romantic and putting another nickel in the nickelodeon, as the old song says, may bring love and “music, music, music,” but grudgingly travelers ante up for the daily privilege of driving many of the roadways across the good ol’ U. … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Feb. 23-March 1
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, February 23: The first Girl Scout Troop in Indianapolis has been organized in Irvington by twenty girls between the ages of ten and eighteen. The new troop is officially designated Red Clover Troop No. 1, and (Mrs. Gilbert) Anna Ridge, 23 Johnson Av, is the … Read More
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