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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. 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
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 27-Dec. 4
From The Indianapolis Times, Saturday, November 27, 1915: Fire of incendiary origin, believed to have been caused by chicken thieves, destroyed a large chicken house in the rear of the home of J. E. Pigman, 126 Linwood Av, early this morning. The flames threatened for a time to spread to … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Nov. 27-Dec. 4
From The Indianapolis Times, Tuesday, November 30, 1915: Mrs. May Wright Sewall of Indianapolis, who was prominent at the woman’s peace conference in San Francisco, is booked to sail on the “Peace Ship” next Saturday at the invitation of Henry Ford. Indiana Governor Samuel Ralston was also invited to be … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 20-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, November 22, 1915: Countless patriotic Indianapolis citizens and many from surrounding points turned out late last night to pay homage to the Liberty Bell, on its third visit to the city. The decorated special train car bearing the historic bell was switched from the Union … Read More