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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: Feb. 3-9
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, February 5: The severe cold weather which has gripped Indianapolis for the past week has led to a shortage of coal and has overtaxed gas supplies. The inability of school heating plants to supply sufficient heat to the classrooms at Shortridge High School and twenty-five … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Feb. 3-9
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, February 4: Anxiety was the predominant note in conversations yesterday in Indianapolis public places following the news of the United States break in diplomatic relations with Germany following Germany’s notice to resume undersea warfare on all shipping within the war zone. While all seemed to … Read More
100 Years Ago: Jan. 27-Feb. 2
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, January 28: The paper shortage has produced higher prices for waste paper and those once glad to give it away to the Salvation Army are now collecting it to sell to junk men. As a result paper collection by the Salvation Army has fallen off … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Jan. 27-Feb. 2
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, January 29: Indianapolis Jews, along with Jews throughout Indiana, are participating in a “Week of Mercy” that has been declared among the American Jewish community in observance of the first anniversary of President Wilson’s proclamation setting aside a day which Americans should turn their thoughts … Read More
Flickering Light on the Silver Screen, Part 1
The Paleface — Bob Hope singing “Buttons and Bows” and Jane Russell, well, being Jane Russell — is my earliest memory of seeing a motion picture show. I saw the film with my parents at The Indiana. A few years later I was old enough to join over 500 of … Read More