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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
Naughty and Nice . . .
‘Tis the Season…frosty morns and ebony nights illuminated by bright multicolored lights — reflected and shimmering on moist pavement — and the scent of pine and candle wax everywhere. Shoppers scurry amid the tinkling of Salvation Army bells and children’s eyes are full of wonderful delights. A special treat might … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 15-21
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, December 17: Indianapolis was dark last night, and next Thursday night promises to be still darker as the city complies with the fuel conservation order calling for two “lightless” nights a week. Few electric signs glowed feebly through the low-hanging smoke cloud that had settled … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Dec. 15-21
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, December 16: The seventeenth anniversary of the Flanner House Social Settlement will be observed this afternoon in a special Founders’ Day program. Attorney Robert L. Brokenburr, a former superintendent of the settlement, will give a history of the institution which was established by prominent white … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 8-14
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, December 14: Thousands stood and cheered at two monster rallies yesterday afternoon and evening at Tomlinson Hall in a demonstration of patriotism at the opening program of the state war conference called by the Indiana State Council of Defense. Nationally recognized speakers told of the … Read More
100 Years Ago: Dec. 8-14
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, December 14: As the John Philip Sousa Great Navy Band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the meeting at Tomlinson Hall yesterday afternoon, every man in that great crowd stood with bared head except a few members of the Indianapolis police department who stood arrogantly in … Read More