-
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: Jan. 30-Feb. 6
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, February 3, 1915: Iron rings bearing the Iron Cross insignia and inscribed in German, “To the Old Fatherland, in order to show my loyalty in troublous times, I give gold for iron,” have been received by Joseph Keller, president of the Indiana branch of the … Read More
100 Years Ago this Week: Jan. 23-30
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, January 28, 1915: John H. Bruning, Indianapolis mercantile broker with offices at 517 Majestic Building, became the second person to use the new transcontinental telephone line of the American Telephone & Telegraph Co, and the first person to use it for commercial purposes. Mr. Bruning … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Jan. 23-30
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, January 28, 1915: In spite of the European war, the next 500-mile race at the speedway will include a number of the most celebrated drivers from foreign fields; Darius Resta and Louis Coatalen sent their entries today. They will drive two English Sunbeams of the … Read More
The Civil War: 150th Anniversary
January 1865 New Year’s Day open house was held in many Indianapolis homes; the ladies “dispensing hospitality” to their friendly callers. The second term of Northwestern Christian University (Butler University) began on Monday, January 2, 1865, and Indianapolis Protestant congregations joined Protestant churches across the nation during the first week … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Jan. 16-23
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, January 18, 1915: More than half of the women and girls employed in retail stores and in the garment factories in Indiana receive an average wage of less than $7.00 (2013: $158.88) a week, according to a Census Bureau bulletin. In stores, women and girls … Read More