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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: Feb. 27-March 6
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, March 2, 1915: The war on “dope” has begun. The federal narcotic law which is expected to prove a powerful weapon in combating the use of habit forming drugs went into effect in Indianapolis at midnight, and about 7,000 wholesale dealers, physicians, dentists and veterinarians … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Feb. 27-March 6
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, March 3, 1915: One issue facing Indiana Retail Shoe Association members, assembled today at the Claypool Hotel, was their women patrons are just now insisting on patent leather shoes and there is no such article to speak of because of the European war. Trying to … Read More
The Civil War 150th Anniversary: February 1865
February began with a “continual scene of revelry” on White River south of the National Road bridge as hundreds of ladies and gentlemen took advantage of the ice over the waterway to engage in the “exhilarating sport of skating” before the impending thaw. For those citizens wanting a more genteel … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Feb. 20-27
From The Indianapolis Times, Saturday, February 20, 1915: The problem of free education for workers has been solved in this city with a night school being established at three Indianapolis Public Schools. At Washington School, No. 55, 17th St and Sheldon, instructors attempt to supplement the experience which the students … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago This Week: Feb. 20-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, February 21, 1915: The League of 1914, a local German-American organization, yesterday wired $25,000 (2014: $576,516.70) to the German Embassy in Washington, DC with instructions that it be transmitted to the German Red Cross to be used in caring for the widows and orphans of … Read More