-
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: May 20-26
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, May 26, 1916: Citizens of Irvington, Tuxedo, Brightwood and Beech Grove had an unpleasant surprise when they drew their early morning glasses of water today. The water from the twenty-four inch main supplying that part of the city was pale brown in color and full … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 13-19
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, May 17, 1916: Steps were taken last evening to organize a Birth Control League for Indiana. Nearly 200 women meeting in the Hotel English signified their intentions to become members of the league, and to do everything to aid in tearing aside the curtain of … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: May 13-19
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, May 17, 1916: The University Club Company, made up of ninety-one college-bred men representing the best of the professional and business life of Indianapolis, appeared for its first instruction in military drill at the Armory, 410 N. Capital Av. U. S. Army Captain John J. … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: May 6-12
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, May 6, 1916: Sixteen local men have subscribed $1,500 (2015: $32,961) to the American Ambulance Corps for purchasing, equipping, and maintaining an American automobile ambulance for use on the Western Front battlefields. Named the Indianapolis, the ambulance will soon be shipped from New York City … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 6-12
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, May 10, 1916: The board of public works has received complaints from contractors engaged in making public improvements that labor is scarce in Indianapolis. Although laborers are being paid 22½ cents (2015: $4.94) an hour, contractors say it is almost impossible for them to get enough … Read More