-
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: Sept. 25-Oct. 3
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, September 29, 1915: War orders from Europe have converted the Calumet region of Indiana into a vast arsenal for the manufacture of war munitions. At the Aetna Powder Co, on the eastern limits of Gary, 1,000 men are making guncotton, while in the city a … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 25-Oct. 3
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, September 29, 1915: Fountain Square Merchants Association members made a trip through the country southeast of Indianapolis yesterday boosting Fountain Square as a good place to trade. The trip was to regain some of the trade lost when roads leading into the city from the … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept. 18-24
From the Indianapolis Star, Sunday, September 19, 1915: The German-American Democratic Club sent a long telegram to President Wilson yesterday in which it registered a vigorous protest against the United States government giving approval to the billion dollar loan of money now being negotiated in behalf of the allied nations … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 18-24
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday September 19, 1915: A motor car class offering instructions in the mechanism and the driving of automobiles is the latest course addition to the Young Women’s Christian Association curriculum. The class will meet in the basement of the YWCA building, 329 N. Pennsylvania, where the … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 11-17
From The Indianapolis Times, Thursday, September 16, 1915: The special fresh air school for tuberculosis children, on the grounds of Arsenal Technical High School, began its winter term this week with added improvements, including two sleeping porches, for caring for the 50 children enrolled. The school first opened last year … Read More