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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. 2-8
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, December 2, 1916: Freeman B. Ransom, The Good Citizens’ League president, has called a mass meeting at Pythian Castle Hall, 234 W. Walnut, for Monday evening to discuss caring for the large number of African-Americans coming to Indianapolis as the result of the economic conditions … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 2-8
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, December 6, 1916: Yesterday and today a large crowd of several hundred persons paid a 25¢ (2015: $6) admittance charge to see posters of the Great War drawn by world famous artists and cartoonists Frank Brangwyn, Gerald Spencer-Pryse, Louis Raemaekers, and Théophile Steinlen at the … Read More
“Over the River & Through the Woods….”
The holiday season is upon us and most of us will travel near and far to spend a joyous time with loved ones feasting and gift giving. Once the traveling refrain was “the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,” while today the massive herd under the automobile hood … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Nov. 25-Dec. 1
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, November 25, 1916: “War’s Women,” the most daring treatment of the sufferings inflicted upon women and children during war, will have its exclusive showing in Indianapolis at the Regent Theater all of next week. Thomas H. Ince’s master production, featuring Frank Keenan and Enid Markey, … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 25-Dec. 1
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, November 29, 1916: While preparations are under way throughout Indianapolis for a proper celebration of Thanksgiving Day, the weatherman predicts the holiday will be cold and crisp with bright sunshine. Despite Thanksgiving dinners this year likely being the most expensive every, hundreds of shoppers crowded … Read More