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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
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 11-18
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, December 17, 1915: Twenty-one large cases containing nearly three tons of clothing for German soldiers and civilian refugees in Siberia were sent to Chicago yesterday by an Indianapolis committee headed by Joseph Keller, president of the Indiana German Alliance. The Indianapolis contributions will be added … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Dec. 11-18
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, December 13, 1915: The crime wave sweeping over Indianapolis since the beginning of the Christmas season reached a high mark during the weekend. Pickpockets operating on the interurban relieved a businessman of his wallet containing $1,200 (2014: $27,672.80), and highwaymen assaulted citizens and collected $44.45 … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Dec. 4-11
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, December 4, 1915: The Indianapolis Church Federation has been assured by the owners of the Columbia Theatre, 138 N. Delaware, and the Majestic Theater, 130 S. Illinois, that after tonight there will be no more “oriental dances” on the programs of either theater, and no … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Dec. 4-11
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, December 8, 1915: The military requirements of the warring European nations have drained the United States of every high power search light. This fact was learned in many cities around the country by the demand for high power lights created by the recent celebration of … Read More
Irvington Reads
Nestled in the hillside at 5427 E. Washington Street, on the west front of Indianapolis Public School No. 57, is a one-story brick and glass building that until recently housed the Hilton U. Brown Early Childhood Center. For the past decade and a half, it provided special education services for … Read More