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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: July 8-14
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, July 11, 1916: More than a score of pilgrim motorists arrived in Indianapolis last evening over the recently planned Dixie Highway. The motorcade of seven car loads traveling from Leesburg, Florida to Chicago arrived from French Lick, Indiana with many local escort cars which had … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago This Week: July 8-14
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, July 11, 1916: The formal organization of the Indianapolis Red Cross has begun! The American Red Cross sent word yesterday to major cities across the United States that local organizations should be formed without delay. While the recent sending of soldiers to the Mexican border … Read More
The Pennsy
Running through the middle of Irvington and extending to the east towards Cumberland is a ribbon of asphalt that walkers and bikers now enjoy as the “Pennsy Trail.” While today many find this serene byway a respite from daily life, for nearly 130 years a silver ribbon of steel rail … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: June 24-July 7
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, June 29, 1916: Crowds numbering into the hundreds waited far into the night and early morning at Union Station watching train load after train load of national guardsmen from eastern states – New York’s crack Seventh Regiment; Ambulance Co No. 1 from Boston – pass … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: June 24-July 7
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, June 30, 1916: At a meeting of prominent men and women held at the State House last night, a new society was formed to foster state pride and to help in the preservation of state history. Membership in “Hoosieroons” will be limited to natives of … Read More