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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
100 Years Ago This Week: Dec. 23-29 & Dec. 30-Jan. 5
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, December 25, 1916: The Christmas spirit of Irvington was not chilled by the cold breeze blowing early Christmas Eve as a large crowd stood in the snow on the Irvington School grounds for the lighting of the first Irvington community Christmas tree. The twenty-five foot … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 16-22
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, December 17, 1916: The executive committee of the Thomas Clark branch, Friends of Irish Freedom, last night adopted a resolution protesting against the deportation of more than 12,000 able-bodied Irish men from Ireland to England “where they are compelled to work in British army camps … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Dec. 16-22
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, December 18, 1916: Kris Kringle will have $300,000 (2015: $6,592,222) to spend for Christmas cheer because of the Christmas savings clubs at Indianapolis banks. Deposits ranged from $12.50 to $250 (2015: $275 to $5,494). Cards resembling the usual Christmas cards, signed by the cashiers of … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Dec. 9-15
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, December 10, 1916: Monday, December 11, is Admission Day, the day on which the state of Indiana will be 100 years old. Centennial medals have been made by distinguished Hoosier sculptor Janet Scudder as the one permanent memorial of the celebration. The obverse side depicts … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 9-15
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, December 9, 1916: The Third Indiana Infantry Regiment returned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison yesterday where it will be mustered out of Federal service having done its “bit on the border.” The regiment’s 771 men and officers are happy to be home and proud of their … Read More