Museum Honoring Indiana Basketball Legend Now Open

Basketball fans now have the opportunity to learn all about one legendary Hoosier basketball star at a new museum in Terre Haute, Indiana.

With Indiana being the "home of basketball," it would only make sense to honor one of the best Hoosier players to ever run up and down the court. Recently, a new museum was opened to the public to do just that, thanks to a grassroots effort led by devoted fans and community influencers. It's called the "Larry Bird Museum," and yes, it's all about NBA superstar Larry Bird.

According to Britannica, Bird grew up in French Lick, Indiana, and later attended Indiana State University, where he led the team to a 33-1 record in his senior season. The towering 6-foot-9 Hoosier described himself as the “hick from French Lick" and later spent 13 seasons (1979–1992) with the Boston Celtics. In fact, the Celtics won their first NBA title with Bird in 1981, which they also secured in 1984 and 1986.

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The 12-time All-Star won three consecutive league Most Valuable Player awards (1984–1986) and was the first noncenter to do so. Britannica reports that Bird averaged 24.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game over the course of his career. His 21,791 total points scored were the 11th highest in NBA history at the time of his retirement in 1992. A few years after Bird retired, he went to coach the Indiana Pacers and did so from 1997 until 2000. He was even named Coach of the Year after his first season.

The Larry Bird Museum held a grand opening on May 30, 2024, which Bird even attended. According to the museum, it houses various exhibits showcasing rare memorabilia, iconic moments, and interactive displays that highlight Bird's skill and influence on the sport. The building is located at 800 Wabash Ave. in Terre Haute and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. You can learn about the museum here.