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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
World War I 100 Years Ago: Oct. 3-10
From The Indianapolis Times, Monday, October 5, 1914: In response to President Wilson’s call for a National Day of Prayer for Peace, practically every church of every faith in Indianapolis offered prayers yesterday for the ending of the war now raging in Europe. Many sermons echoed the words of Rev. … Read More
100 Years Ago: Sept. 26-Oct. 3
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, October 2, 1914: Indianapolis marked state-wide observance of “Disease Prevention Day” this afternoon with a parade through downtown streets seen by thousands of people. Armies of rats, cockroaches, bedbugs, fleas and other vermin laying siege on city households and the flies, mosquitoes, and millions of … Read More
World War I, 100 Years Ago: Sept. 26-Oct. 3
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, September 30, 1914: Discussion of the European War in the Indianapolis public schools, except where absolutely necessary in connection with certain class work, has been prohibited by an order issued by Superintendent Jacob G. Collicott. The matter was brought to the attention of the School … Read More
The Civil War 150 Years Ago: September 1864
The month began with committees being established for next month’s Indiana Sanitary Bazaar to provide for the “welfare and comfort of our sick and wounded soldiers.” The Ladies’ Visiting Committee canvassed the city soliciting contributions for the bazaar. Two well attended political meetings met in the city the first Saturday … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Sept. 19-25
n 1923 Yeats became the first Irish recipient of the Nobel Prize. Life at a lake is different from town living. Talented poets express our innermost emotions. Vicki inscribed “Innisfree” on a drawing that she made of their charming little home. A grower of flowers, she has also kept bees. … Read More