-
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: Oct. 28-Nov. 3
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, October 30, 1916: Yesterday afternoon as the last sun rays descended in the western sky, water began to play in the wonderful kaleidoscopic colors of the electric lights of the fountains in the sunken gardens at Garfield Park. Over seven thousand South Siders marveled at … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Oct. 28-Nov. 3
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, November 3, 1916: All National Guardsmen not now in the service of the United States are required to take a new oath, prescribed by the Hay National Defense Act, by November 30, 1916 according to a War Department order from the acting chief of the … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Oct. 21-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, October 22, 1916: The east steps of the State Capitol was the stage yesterday for the Seventh District Woman’s Franchise League’s celebration of Federal Amendment Day. The program included young women clad in Grecian robes representing the states. Those clad in white robes with gold … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Oct. 21-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, October 22, 1916: Indianapolis churches today will participate in the national appeal for financial help to aid the starving and destitute peoples of Armenia and Syria. Yesterday and today were named by President Wilson as the time for the collection of contributions for Armenian and … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Oct. 14-20
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, October 19, 1916: First steps to assure a clean election were taken yesterday when a committee of two officials of the Church Federation and other good citizens met with United States district attorney L. Ert Slack and received a promise that he would give immediate … Read More