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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
Pedal Power
Despite the cold, a large crowd gathered on the Circle the morning of Thursday, January 7, 1869 to witness the first public test of the velocipede, a two-wheel pedaled vehicle, that the hatter, John C. McIver, had brought to Indianapolis the preceding month. Believing that he had learned “to manage … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 22-28
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, April 28, 1922: Flapper styles must go is the verdict of Indianapolis girls in the public schools’ good dressing courses. Opposition to the latest dressing fads among students is based on the belief that the majority of schoolgirls are sacrificing their health in a mad … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 15-21
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, April 20, 1922: The greatest food exposition ever held in Indianapolis will open this afternoon and continue for nine days at Tomlinson Hall under the auspices of the Retail Grocers Protective Association. Demonstrators will show the method of food preparation and a least one company … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 8-14
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, April 13, 1922: The James Whitcomb Riley home is now a public shrine. Lockerbie Street neighbors of the Hoosier poet and scores of others gathered this afternoon in front of the flag draped house to pay tribute to Riley as the children’s friend. Pupils of … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 1-7
From The Indianapolis News, Saturday, April 1, 1922: Beginning tomorrow, the eighth national Negro Health Week will be observed in Indianapolis by the Marion County Tuberculosis Society in cooperation with local clubs, churches, and civic improvement organizations. Illustrated talks will be given on hygiene, tuberculosis, nutrition, and infant welfare at … Read More