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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: Sept. 20-26
From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, September 25, 1919: Highway Transport Day will be celebrated in Indianapolis this afternoon with a parade of 200 motorized industrial trucks through the downtown district to demonstrate the vast field of activities which has been successfully taken over by gasoline powered vehicles. One hundred Indianapolis … Read More
100 Years Ago: Sept. 13-19
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, September 17, 1919: The board of public works suffered a “gas attack” today when a large number of letters from Irvington citizens were received protesting the order to install gas street lights south of Washington St in the classic suburb. The board thought the gas … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Sept. 6-12
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, September 10, 1919: The American Legion starts its national membership campaign Monday and during the week hopes to enroll 1,000,000 new members. Remster Bingham, Marion County membership chair, said efforts will be made to enroll at least 25,000 of the 30,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, and … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: Aug. 30-Sept. 5
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, September 5, 1919: President Woodrow Wilson, addressing an enormous audience of citizens at the State Fair Grounds Coliseum last night, challenged opponents of the League of Nations, “If it is not this arrangement, what arrangement do you suggest to secure the peace of the world? … Read More
“You’re Coming With Me!”
It was a fearful time in America for persons of color. Fleeing intolerable conditions in the land of their birth, many risked a perilous journey to the north, mothers with babes in arms crossing raging rivers, seeking refuge. Many white people defied the law to protect them while Federal agents … Read More