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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: 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
100 Years Ago: June 21-27
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, June 26, 1919: Special vacation reading privileges are being offered by the Central Library in lending books to children this summer. As many as six books may be taken on one card, providing for every book of fiction there must be a book of nonfiction. … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: June 21-27
From The Indianapolis Star, Friday, June 27, 1919: The Liberty Kitchen, 106 N. Delaware, will close Monday concluding another chapter in Indiana’s war history. The Marion County Council of Defense established the Liberty Kitchen almost a year ago to provide free information on canning, poultry, child nutrition, garden topics, and … Read More