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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: March 10-16
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, March 14: Declaring, “Our children lack patriotism…and now is the time to teach it,” Indianapolis school board member Mrs. Julia B. Tutewiler offered a motion at last night’s board meeting to have “Old Glory” draped on the front wall of every schoolroom in the city … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 3-9
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, March 8: Two hundred women meet yesterday afternoon at the Chamber of Commerce and formed a nonpartisan league to educate Indianapolis women on political subjects following a motion by Mrs. Samuel E. (Mary) Perkins that was carried unanimously. Miss Julia Landers was chosen temporary chair … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: March 3-9
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, March 6: James A. Allison, Indianapolis Motor Speedway secretary-treasurer, announced yesterday that if the United States declared war on Germany, the May 30 annual racing classic would be cancelled. Allison believed everybody should stand ready to back the United States, and that everything possible should … Read More
Kiddie Matinee Afternoons
Across Indianapolis from the late 1930s through the 1960s, thousands of kids could be found every Saturday afternoon at their neighborhood movie theater enjoying a special “kiddie matinee.” After paying an admission from 10ȼ to 35ȼ, the next stop was the concession stand — a box of popcorn, a cup … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Feb. 24, March 2
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, March 1: This morning’s news of Germany’s proposed alliance with Mexico and Japan to make war on the United States if this country should enter the European War saw only a slight increase in enlistments at the local U. S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps … Read More