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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
The Civil War 150 Anniversary – May, 1863
Except for the railroads and businesses associated with them, the National Day of Fasting and Prayer was observed more strictly in Indianapolis than Sundays usually are. Dense groups of people were about the church doors and soon from within music and murmurs of prayer and praise filled the Circle. The … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: may 17-24
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, May 22, 1913: More than 30,000 citizens lined the streets of downtown this afternoon to see 2,400 members of the Indiana Department of the Grand Army of the Republic (G. A. R.) pass in parade. With bands playing and flags waving the five divisions wound … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: May 10-17
From The Indianapolis Sun, Friday, May 16, 1913: Good feeding; two shaves a week; humane treatment; liberal tobacco supply; family Sunday dinners; and mid-week bread pudding festival are just a few of the policies that Sheriff Theodore Portteus has implemented at the jail in an effort to do the right … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: May 3-10
From The Indianapolis Sun, Sunday, May 4, 1913: A barefoot burglar who has entered dozens of homes in the past three weeks has police baffled. The intruder leaves nothing but his bare footprints and many burnt matches. Entering a house by a window, he strikes a match to see the … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: April 26-May 3
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, April 30, 1913: The People’s Concert Association chorus will sing “The Swan and the Skylark” and the Minneapolis Orchestra will play an afternoon and evening performance at Tomlinson Hall on Monday to benefit The News Flood Relief Fund. Seats have been purchased for Indianapolis public … Read More