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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: May 10-16
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, May 15, 1919: At today’s County Council meeting, Councilor Jesse Potter proposed the county commissioners consider the question of building a new Court House and investigate whether the ground on which the present Court House sits could be sold for a sufficient amount to cover … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: May 3-9
From The Indianapolis News, Wednesday, May 7, 1919: Glorious Welcome Home Day! A chorus of factory whistles greeted the troop trains bringing soldiers of the 150th Field Artillery and members of Base Hospital No. 32 into Union Station for the long-awaited day celebrating our returning Hoosier heroes. A parade of … Read More
100 Years Ago: May 3-9
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, May 4, 1919: High school art students, directed by artist Otto Stark, designed wall decorations at five Indianapolis public schools. Each school paid for its painting, and five characters – Mother Goose, Little Boy Blue, Little Miss Muffet, Mary, Mary Quite Contrary and Little Bo … Read More
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