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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: Nov. 17-23
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, November 23: “Business needs women with business training to supplant the thousands of men called to the colors,” declared Ancil T. Brown, president of the Brown Office Efficiency Bureau, in an interview yesterday. “An unprecedented demand for women is evident,” he continued. “Secretarial, financial, bookkeeping … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 10-16
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, November 13: “Dry” forces triumphed over the “wets” in the city’s Ninth Ward, which is east of the downtown district between 10th and Washington Streets and includes Irvington. Yesterday’s decision of Johnson County circuit court Judge William E. Deupree upholding the anti-saloon remonstrance signed by … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Nov. 10-16
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, November 16: Charles E. Rush, librarian of the Indianapolis Public Library, announced that the library’s three copies of The Book of Truths and Facts by Fritz Von Frantzius will be withdrawn from general circulation after it had been denounced as “treasonable,” “disloyal” and “seditious.” Col. … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 3-9
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, November 6: The Indianapolis school board has allowed the city high schools to once again engage in interscholastic sport competition. The decision not only affects basketball and baseball, but track, tennis, swimming and possibly golf. All athletics at Technical (Tech), Shortridge, and Manual Training High … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Nov. 3-9
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, November 3: Cash registers, attended by “ravishingly pretty” girls, will be placed at downtown street corners and in lobbies of public buildings by the National Cash Register Co to aid the Indianapolis Rotary Club’s campaign to raise the city’s $40,000 (2016: $762,392) quota as part … Read More