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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
World War I: 100 Years Ago: Jan. 25-31
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, January 31, 1919: Long-cherished plans for a great state plaza connecting the five blocks from University Park to St. Clair Park, between Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets, have been revived as the site for a state memorial of the war against Germany. The movement to relocate … Read More
100 Years Ago: Jan. 25-31
From The Indianapolis Star, Saturday, January 25, 1919: Indianapolis Boy Scout troops will hold their annual indoor track meet at Tomlinson Hall tonight and a large entry in readiness assures keen competition at the starting gun. In addition to the track meet, several special events, including twenty and forty-yard dashes, … Read More
World War I 100 Years Ago: Jan. 18-24
From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, January 20, 1919: Richard Lieber, Indiana State Park Commission chairman, is promoting his “Indiana Plan” for honoring the role played by American soldiers in the recent war. Under Lieber’s proposal, trees would be planted in a park in each county commemorating Indiana soldiers who gave … Read More
100 Years Ago: Jan. 18-24
From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, January 23, 1919: Two wolves have been attacking animals belonging to farmers in the vicinity of Allisonville. The wolves are running wild in the White River bottoms and a hunt is being organized to capture them. An area farmer has discovered the wolves’ lair and … Read More
100 Years Ago: Jan. 11-18
From The Indianapolis Star, Sunday, January 12: A recreation and club center will open for the city’s African American girls at 541 Indiana Ave. under the direction of the National Y.W.C.A. War Council. Miss Z. Otey Stratton will work with older women and Indianapolis welfare providers to create a facility … Read More