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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: July 12-18
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, July 18, 1919: The organization of the Indianapolis Settlement Union was announced yesterday for the coordination of all settlement work in the city with other neighborhood activities and social service agencies. Members include Christamore College Settlement, Cosmopolitan House, Flanner House and Immigrants’ House. Established under … Read More
100 Years Ago This Week: July 5-11
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, July 8, 1919: Indianapolis city councilor Jacob Brown last night demanded the City Council take immediate action on several street improvements. He said because of poor street pavements a funeral could not pass over either Washington or Noble (College Ave.) streets without disturbing the corpse … Read More
100 Years Ago: June 28-July 4
From The Indianapolis News, Friday, July 4, 1919: A faint pop of a lone firecracker carried by the morning breeze was the only conspicuous noise to announce the Fourth of July. As the day passed, the lack of pops, crackles, whizzes, and big bangs was evidence that the great national … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: June 28-July 4
This is the last in the World War I 100 Years Ago series. From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, June 29, 1919: No clamor of sirens, horns or whistles, no swaying of delirious crowds in the streets, no singing, just a matter of course, “Well, I see they signed the peace … Read More
Blue Ribbons & Cotton Candy
It’s county fair time and let your senses take it all in! The dazzling kaleidoscope of color — striped pavilions topped with pennants waving, garish neon lighting concourses, and whirling rides against the darkened sky. The taste of cotton candy and candy apples, a pork chop sandwich or a roasted … Read More