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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
The Civil War 150th Anniversary: March 1865
On the sunny side of fences, grass begins to make “a feeble display of green,” and along with singing birds signs of spring are “deliciously suggestive.” The Journal noted, “Many of our streets are in horrible condition. The city is either very poor, or its officials very careless of its … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: March 20-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, March 21, 1915: The European war is causing the International Machine Tool Co, 1124 W. 21st St., to work its plant twenty-two hours a day to fill orders for a lathe that can be used in the manufacture of shrapnel shells. Thirty lathes have already … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: March 20-27
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, March 25, 1915: There is a new bug in town and the “bugologists” do not know his name. He has been here for two or three weeks and he has formed a close acquaintance with many persons all over town. He is an “onery” bug; … Read More
World War 1 100 Years Ago: March 13-20
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, March 19, 1915: The most authentic moving picture of the European war made since the conflict began is now being shown to large audiences at the Lyceum Theatre, 148 W. Washington St. The motion picture camera makes it possible for the spectator, seated in a … Read More
100 Years Ago: March 13-20
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, February 18, 1915: Yesterday was “Bundle Day” in Indianapolis. More than 6,000 bundles of old clothes, shoes and wearing apparel of every description were collected from homes throughout the city by more than 160 volunteers traveling in twenty-six flag bedecked automobiles and trucks of the … Read More