February 28, 2023 at 8:21 p.m.
Indiana Historical Society: Chuck Taylor Exhibit Opens 03/04
The exhibit explores the story of the man, Charles Hollis Taylor — better known as “Chuck” Taylor — and his iconic Converse All Star shoe through a variety of immersive experiences and remarkable artifacts and images, some of which have never been exhibited before.
Chuck Taylor was born on June 24, 1901, near Nashville, Indiana. He grew up in the nearby small community of Azalia and went to high school in Columbus. Taylor had a short career as a player and some success as a coach, but he made a name for himself traveling around the nation and beyond, teaching clinics on basketball fundamentals and selling a new basketball shoe — the Converse All Star.
By 1934, the company had adopted his name for its shoe, giving Taylor a more lasting legacy than anyone could have predicted. Taylor’s work with Converse helped to grow and spread the “gospel” of basketball around the nation during the sport’s infancy. This led to his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1969.
Unique Virtual Reality Experience
Opening March 4, Chuck Taylor All Star includes a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) experience that allows visitors to travel back to 1952, meet Chuck Taylor and even participate in one of his famous basketball clinics.
“This experience lets you surround yourself in history,” said Daniel Gonzales, IHS director of exhibitions curation. “You can engage with historical figures, touch artifacts and stand in historic spaces. All things that are impossible to do in real life.”
Using Oculus headsets, visitors will take a journey to a 1952 Hoosier gymnasium, making several stops and interacting with Chuck Taylor as well as historical artifacts along the way. A key component to the VR experience is participating in a Chuck Taylor basketball clinic. Guests will learn proper shooting techniques from Harold “Bunny” Levitt, who held a national record for the most free throws made in a row. The clinic also includes a lesson from Sam Richardson, the 11th-leading scorer in Indiana State University basketball history.
“Even in a virtual reality platform, the basketball skills taught by Bunny Levitt and Sam Richardson tell us something important about how the game developed that is valuable for players at any skill level,” Gonzales said. “We think anyone with an interest in basketball or Chuck Taylor will love this experience.”
The Chuck Taylor All Star exhibit opens March 4, 2023, and runs through January 27, 2025. The virtual reality experience is included with general admission to the Indiana Historical Society. The exhibit is presented by Converse, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.
** For more information about other IHS offerings, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.
