-
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 — November 1863
Much of the public’s attention was divided between recruiting efforts to fulfill Indiana’s draft quota with volunteer enlistments and the trials of Mrs. Mary Ann Longenecker of West Indianapolis for the murder by poison of her husband, Samuel Longenecker last June, and James Sutherland for the murder of Roddy A. … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 22-29
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, November 27, 1913: Indianapolis feasted today on turkey, chicken, duck and goose with cranberries, sweet potatoes, oysters and other traditional trimmings and spent $250,000 (2013 $5,871,994.95) in doing so. A canvass of wholesale and retail grocers and commercial dealers of fruits and vegetables shows that … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 15-23
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, November 16, 1913: The finger-print identification system is now in actual use by the Indianapolis Police Department. An accurate and thorough finger-print filing system is now complete and compares favorably with any in the country. Albert G. Perrott, Bertillon operator, is able to positively identify … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 8-15
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, November 11, 1913: A series of dances are being scheduled for young people, especially those of the working class, that they may enjoy an evening surrounded by the best possible influences, Harry D. Tutewiler, city playground commissioner, announced today. The first of the series will … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Nov. 1-8
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, November 6, 1913: Taxicabs, transfer wagons, broken down trucks, electric and gasoline propelled vehicles of all descriptions are swarming the streets carrying passengers to and from the business district as a result of the street car strike. Every available vehicle is in service, but the … Read More