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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
Geysers and Sprays
I grew up in Irvington and Ellenberger Park was my summer playground. After hours of vigorous adventures along the trails and among the trees of the old woods, my friends and I would slake our thirst at the fountain by the tennis courts. The well water was pleasantly cool and … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: April 26-May 3
From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, April 30, 1919: A Belgian machine gun detachment will parade through Indianapolis streets tomorrow on behalf of the Victory Loan campaign. The detachment’s seven officers and 110 enlisted men will carry a number of machine guns of the type drawn by the great Flemish dogs … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 26-May 3
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, April 30, 1919: Grade school pupils gained weight and new mental vigor, especially in cases of anemic and undersized children, from lunches of hot, nutritious soup or cocoa and bread served daily in an eleven-week experiment conducted at Indianapolis Public School No. 5, Washington and … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: April 19-25
From The Indianapolis Star, Tuesday, April 22, 1919: Indianapolis manufacturers said they were willing to take more than their quota of wounded veterans for shop training following a talk on retraining disabled soldiers presented yesterday by Dr. A. C. Prosser, director of the Federal board for vocational education, at a … Read More
100 Years Ago: April 19-25
From The Indianapolis News, Tuesday, April 22, 1919: A ten-day “clean up our city time,” targeting dirt and rubbish in the yards and alleys, will begin tomorrow in Indianapolis according to a proclamation issued today by Mayor Jewett. All citizens are called upon by the mayor to help beautify the … Read More