Basketball fans in Terre Haute, Indiana, welcomed back basketball legend Larry Bird on Thursday for the grand opening of the Larry Bird Museum. The long-awaited establishment, which took nearly six years to materialize, showcases a vast collection of memorabilia from Bird’s high school, college, and NBA career, as well as interactive exhibits and interviews with teammates, coaches, and adversaries.

Bird, a 12-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion, three-time NBA MVP, and two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Boston Celtics, currently serves as a consultant for the Indiana Pacers. Following his playing career, Bird led the Pacers as their head coach from 1997 to 2000. He was awarded the NBA Coach of the Year title for the 1997-98 season and guided the Pacers to the NBA Finals in 2000, ultimately losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

Hundreds of fans flocked to Terre Haute to greet Bird, 67, who attended Indiana State University and brought the Sycamores to the NCAA championship game in 1979. Facing off against fellow future Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and the Michigan State Spartans, Bird hails from the quaint town of French Lick, Indiana, approximately 100 miles from Terre Haute.

Before the museum’s grand opening, Bird addressed the crowd, reminiscing about his remarkable career. “We won together, we lost together, we stayed together, and here we are again today,” he shared. Although Terre Haute isn’t his birthplace, Bird feels a deep connection to the city due to the numerous tributes in his honor. With a hint of humor, he joked that the ceremony might be his last interview. “You know, I’ve got a little street named after me, a statue out there, and a museum here. Thank you, Terre Haute, but I think that’s enough for a while,” he quipped.

Bird admitted that he never envisioned having a museum dedicated to him. “This city, you have no idea how much I respect this city and the people in it,” he expressed. “The people are what make the city. If you don’t have good people and they don’t come together, your city’s nothing. I don’t live here, but every time I come here, I feel good, and that’s all that matters. If you enter a city and know you’ll be treated well and reciprocate that treatment, they’ll be there for life. And that’s what I have here.”

The museum is situated within the Terre Haute Convention Center and is accessible to the public free of charge. It is open from Wednesdays to Sundays. The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers.

Reflecting on the Celtics’ impressive performance, Bird expressed his pride in the Indiana Pacers. “I remember at the All-Star Game, I told one of the Celtics’ owners that I thought they had the best team in the league,” he stated. “I’m very proud of the Indiana Pacers. I think they have a great opportunity to keep advancing and doing well. Haliburton and other players perform well together. When the ball moves, they win. If they defend a little better, they win. Sometimes they don’t defend. They have a strong team, and they’ll only grow and improve together.”

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday. To attend the public opening, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance through the museum’s website, larrybirdmuseum.com. There is no admission fee, a requirement Bird himself imposed.

The grand opening festivities included a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday. To attend the public opening, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance through the museum’s website, larrybirdmuseum.com. There is no admission fee, a requirement Bird himself imposed.

The grand opening festivities included a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday. To attend the public opening, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance through the museum’s website, larrybirdmuseum.com. There is no admission fee, a requirement Bird himself imposed.

The grand opening festivities included a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday. To attend the public opening, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance through the museum’s website, larrybirdmuseum.com. There is no admission fee, a requirement Bird himself imposed.

The grand opening festivities included a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday. To attend the public opening, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance through the museum’s website, larrybirdmuseum.com. There is no admission fee, a requirement Bird himself imposed.

The grand opening festivities included a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday. To attend the public opening, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance through the museum’s website, larrybirdmuseum.com. There is no admission fee, a requirement Bird himself imposed.

The grand opening festivities included a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s grand opening was marked by a downtown HoopsFest, a street fair featuring music, food trucks, inflatables, and a three-on-three basketball tournament for local high school athletes. The museum’s establishment was made possible through the collection of the Vigo County food and beverage tax, primarily supporting tourism and the arts within Vigo County, and through contributions and personal connections of Max and Greg Gibson with Larry Bird.

The museum’s inauguration ceremony took place a week prior to the Celtics’ first NBA Finals game against the Dallas Mavericks, following their Eastern Conference Finals victory over the Pacers. Bird expressed his gratitude to the community and the people involved in bringing the museum to fruition. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” Bird expressed, eliciting applause from the crowd. “I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone involved in bringing this museum to fruition.”

The museum showcases images, quotes, displays, never-before-seen interviews, memorabilia, and interactive experiences. Visitors can test their basketball knowledge with trivia questions and attempt a free throw with Bird’s guidance. The museum’s vice president and museum committee co-chair, Terri Conley, highlighted the museum’s inspirational narrative, from Bird’s early days in French Lick to his NBA career.

Conley emphasized the teamwork required to bring the museum to fruition, expressing gratitude to the community and, most importantly, to Bird himself. “Nobody played the game like Larry Bird, and I’m not sure anyone ever will again,” Gibson, a longtime friend of Bird, introduced the former Sycamore who led the basketball team to the NCAA Championship game in 1979. Gibson lauded Bird as a “true basketball icon, a living legend, and a dear friend.”

The museum opened its doors to special guests on Thursday and will welcome the public on Friday.