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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 3-10
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, July 6, 1915: Yesterday afternoon beneath brilliant blue skies, a crowd of thousands seated on the hillside — “a natural grandstand” — of Ellenberger Park witnessed the “Indiana Pageant” given by local Irvington talent. The bugle sounded the opening episode, “Nature’s Gifts to Indiana.” Miss … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: July 3-10
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, July 9, 1915: Major J.J. Dickinson of Washington, DC, field secretary of the Navy League of the United States, is in Indianapolis to establish a state branch of the league to educate the citizenry on the need for a more adequate national defense and a … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: June 26-July 3
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, June 28, 1915: Ft. Benjamin Harrison is regarded by the War Department as one of the best posts in the country, and if Congress approves, it will be improved, enlarged, and provided with facilities for conducting a high grade school of military instruction. Secretary of … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: June 26-July 3
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, June 30, 1915: Appropriate exercises will mark the official start of the 1915 season and the 25th anniversary of the Summer Mission for Sick Children at Fairview. The summer mission is known throughout the United States as the Indianapolis plan for caring for sick babies … Read More
The Civil War 150th Anniversary: June 1865
–THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1865 — HUMILIATION DAY –— appointed by President Johnson “for humiliation and prayer, in view of our great national calamity — the death of Abraham Lincoln.” City business was suspended and services held in all of the churches. J. Perry Elliott’s City Gallery, 8-10 E. Washington St, … Read More