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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: Aug. 29-Sept. 4
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, August 30, 1914: Physicians and social workers from many states have visited the City Hospital within the last few days to view the novel decorative scheme in the new children’s ward of the recently constructed Burdsall wings. Twenty-four oil paintings on canvas of boys and … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Aug. 29-Sept. 4
From The Indianapolis News, Monday, August 30, 1914: The poor little canary is about to get “its” as a result of the European War. The price of the canary’s favorite seed has more than doubled and is still going up. Canary hemp seed comes from England, and before the war … Read More
The 150th Anniversary of the Civil War: August 1864
“THE ARMY BEFORE PETERSBURG” was among the numerous headlines that drew readers of the Journal to riveting accounts of “the movement of Grant’s army” — horrific details of the terrific explosion that blew up “one of the enemy’s strongest forts” and the “simultaneous charge in which we lost heavily.” The … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Aug. 22-29
From The Indianapolis Times, Monday, August 24, 1914: Federal Department of Justice investigators looking into food prices in Indianapolis sent letters to more than 1,000 retail grocers Saturday asking the price range from August 1 to 21 of flour, sugar, and other commodities, and whether or not they had received … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Aug. 22-29
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, August 25, 1914: Emma Pfeiffer Bruner, Butler College Prof. Henry Lane Bruner’s wife, arrived safely from Germany where she was visiting family. Her difficult and strenuous return journey began in Baden. When the war signal came on August 1, all foreigners left without delay to … Read More