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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: Dec. 3-9
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, December 8, 1921: The Indianapolis permanent fire prevention committee has placed a very large dial, with red and black hands, at Kentucky Ave. and Washington St., showing the number of fires each day this year as compared with the number a year before. Yesterday, the … Read More
Citizen Warrior
Charles Russell “Russ” Barnett was a member of what journalist Tom Brokaw called The Greatest Generation. A son of Irvington, Russ served in the best tradition as a citizen warrior — marine, sailor, and soldier. At the end of his freshman year at Butler University, Russell enlisted in the United … Read More
100 Years Ago: Nov. 26-Dec. 2
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, November 29, 1921: Dale Miller, one of the most popular Indiana basketball officials, hosted a meeting of thirteen Indianapolis basketball officials last evening at the Board of Trade. After making a list of their names, addresses, and phone numbers so that high school, college, and … Read More
100 Years Ago: Nov. 19-25
From The Indianapolis Times, Wednesday, November 23, 1921: After word was received that two of the three Marion County commissioners would not change their position and authorize a bond issue, in cooperation with the city, for acquiring land for the site of the Indiana war memorial plaza, the Indianapolis board … Read More
100 Years Ago: Nov. 5-11
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, November 11, 1921: Indianapolis commemorated the anniversary of Armistice Day in speech and ceremony with tributes paid to the “unknown soldier,” laid to rest today in the nation’s capital at Arlington Cemetery. Prayers were offered for the success of the international disarmament conference, and despite … Read More