Milan’s Hoosiers Museum Celebrates Indiana Basketball
Hoosiers — the story of a scrappy small-town Indiana team winning the state basketball championship — is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports movies of all time. Who are we to dispute that?!
While many know the on-screen story of Norman Dale, Jimmy Chitwood, and the Hickory Huskers, far fewer know the real-life Indiana basketball history that inspired the Hollywood hit. A small but mighty museum nestled in downtown Milan, Indiana, is working to change that.
The Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum is a small town Indiana attractions perfect for fans of the movie and lovers of Indiana sports museums. It tells the story of Milan High School basketball team’s 1954 state championship — a legendary moment in Hoosier basketball history. The story of Bobby Plump, the real-life Jimmy Chitwood, and his buzzer-beating game-winning shot inspired small high schools across Indiana and also inspired screenwriter Angelo Pizzo and director David Anspaugh to create the Academy Award–nominated film in 1986.
When Hoosiers was being made in the fall of 1985, the entire state embraced the film. Were people in Indiana a little starstruck by Oscar-winning actors like Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and Barbara Hershey? Sure. But the making of this movie was a love letter to the state — one the world got to read.
Hoosiers filming locations were used across Indiana, including the climactic final game that made Hinkle Fieldhouse history in Indianapolis (then known as Butler Fieldhouse). That’s the same venue where the original state championship took place — the place where legends were born, as tiny Milan High School (enrollment: 161) defeated Muncie Central High School (enrollment: 1,662).
On display at the museum, you’ll find a mix of artifacts from both teams — the real life Milan and the fictional Hickory. It houses the largest collection of Hoosiers movie museum props ever assembled, including everything from Huskers team uniforms to costumes worn by Gene Hackman and Barbara Hershey.
As you’d expect, there’s also plenty of history about the Milan 1954 state championship team itself. Even after more than 70 years, winning the state championship remains the biggest thing the town of 1,800 is known for.
We were pressed for time and didn’t get to spend as much time at the museum as we would’ve liked. It’s definitely on our list of places to revisit — and it should be on yours if you’re looking for things to do in southeastern Indiana or are a fan of Hoosier Hysteria and basketball fans travel experiences.
The Milan ’54 Hoosiers Museum is located at 201 West Carr Street in Milan, Indiana. You’ll know you’re in the right town when you see the giant basketball water town, and at the right building downtown when you approach the giant basketball awning. Milan is located about 45 minutes west of the 275 beltway around Cincinnati, Ohio. It’s not too far away if you’re in Cincinnati for a visit. They are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
We loved supporting a small town Indiana museum, especially because we love the story they’re trying to tell. They also have a cool little gift shop with items related to the movie and the 1954 Indiana State Basketball Champion Milan Indians. Worth noting: their commemorative shirts were just $19.54 — a clever nod to that landmark year.
