red skelton museum of american comedy

Worth the time while in Vincennes. I wasn't very eager to visit this museum, but I am glad I made the time for the visit. I visited prior to the expansion of the museum, and I still found it to be interesting, even though small. Many of the exhibits were interactive and fun. I recommend touring the Performing Arts School while you are there. It is included in the price of the ticket and was interesting to see where students "learn" the art of performance.

Comedic great Red Skelton was born in a humble home very near the Vincennes University campus. The Red Skelton Performing Arts Center and the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy both are stunning tributes to Red!

The museum was smaller than expected but it was filled with displays and information. All of his characters were represented by costumes, displays, and videos. An introductory video set the stage for the rest of the museum.I particularly loved the video of Red's Pledge of Allegiance. It was a heartfelt performance that still resonates today.

Anyone who remembers Red on radio and/or TV will love this place and maybe even shed a couple of tears.

When we planned our 3-week trip, we made sure our return route to New York passed through Vincennes, precisely so we could visit the Red Skelton Museum. We were not disappointed. The fellow who took our admission spent time explaining the layout to us and then got us started with the short introductory movie. Once it ended, he guided us to the start of the exhibit and explained what we would see as we walked around. Then we were left on our own to explore, but he appeared every once in awhile to see if we had any questions. The exhibits were wonderful. We learned a lot more about Red than we ever knew. I was very young when his TV show went off the air, but my husband remembered all of the skits and characters. There are opportunities to see film and TV clips, practice your own mime (with Red's direction) on film, decorate your virtual face with clown makeup, see costumes and notes, view the Pledge of Allegiance clip and see Red's art. This was a wonderful museum!

Only a year old and this misueum is the basis for the performing arts center of Vincennes University. Tastefully and professionally done throughout and it is a wonderful tribute to a remarkable comedian and human being.

For everyone who loves good, CLEAN comedy, you cannot miss with Red Skelton. For years, Red held court on television, bringing his zany brand of family-friendly comedy to millions.As a child, I grew up watching the great comedians on TV - Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Dick Van Dyke ... and Red Skelton. There was no one quite like "America's Clown".I cannot recommend a visit to this museum enough. Go...you will not be disappointed!

I am not sure what I expected, but I was not disappointed. There could have been a little more historical data from his early years, and a better explanation of the "slap stick" comedians of the era. I am not sure it will hold the attention of younger generations. Time will tell.

We visited in December 2013 and were impressed. It is still a work in progress as much more is planned. What is there now is well worth the visit and will be enjoyed by anyone who loved Red in the movies or on TV. Neat and clean, well laid out and interesting.

The Museum is an unabashed civic tribute to a favorite son, a very good collection of memorabilia and interpretation in a modern and impressive setting. But it needs more exposure and way-finding to help it flourish. At mid-day on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, one of the busiest times of the year for any museum, we were the only ones around besides the obviously proud staff.My husband and I were passing through Vincennes over Thanksgiving. He works in the museum field and had heard of this facility's opening, so we decided to stop by. Getting to the Museum is something of a trick. It's on the Vincennes University campus and, in fact, is part of the fine arts center named after the home-grown comedian. But neither are obvious to first-timers to town, even from driving on a main drag a block or so away.The Museum entry is adjacent to the center's, and is bright and airy, though the facade is a bit cluttered by signage for hours, "open" status and other info. A single obvious canopy sign over the Museum doors would help the identity more, and go with the rest of a truly impressive theater complex.Exhibit entry and, later, exit is through the gift shop, in modern museum layout. Adult admission was $8 each (parking is free). Staff were friendly and eager to help (almost too eager, as we were interrupted while trying to read panel text at one point).There's a good mix between text panels and video, and for these late Boomers who remembered watching Red Skelton on TV in the 60s and 70s it was fun seeing actual costumes for characters next to video snippets. A nod to hands-on exhibits allows one to digitally apply clown make-up to a face photo; instructions and use are easy, and the results fun to see.A 40-seat theater gives a 7-minute overview of the comedian's early life and career, and the production values are very good. We were invited by the staff to let them know when we were ready to see it, though a more-efficient and visitor-friendy approach here would be timed runs or auto sensors to start on entry.This video might also have been expanded at bit more to replace or reinforce a cluttered, but key, timeline panel nearby, that showed Skelton's lifeline with that of the entertainment industry and nation. And, while there were some glimpses of Skelton's personal life here and in text panels (impoverished youth, three wives, two divorces, a passing reference to a son), it was hard to get a feel for the real man behind the face paint. The best hint was an exhibit station covering his patriotism, as shown in his explanation of the Pledge of Allegiance.The self-tour concludes with an array of Skelton's clown paintings and character portraits. Those who generally find clowns "creepy" might have problems with this, and those expecting fine art might also be a bit disappointed. They are, however, a few more glimpses into what was probably a very complex man.

Great tribute!! I can't say enough. The original paintings, clips, costume displays, dressing room, on and on!! I can't list it all! I was so happy to be there for the Grand Opening!!

After getting around the construction, we found our way to the Red Skelton Museum. Am so glad we did. Just wish there was more to see. More exhibits etc.

What a wonderful tribute to one of America's greatest comedians. Short documentary of Red's show business career that's not to be missed. Loved all the costume displays and short clips of each character's routines. There's even a fun dressing room mirror where you can "paint" a clown face and see the results! Many of his original clown portraits are on display and another addition is coming next year. Very friendly staff that will take you on a tour of the Performing Arts Theater also. Don't miss the footprints in cement of Red and other great comics.

6/4/13. This museum has only been open a short time. I loved seeing Red Skeltons costumes he wore on stage. Each personality has its own area with a short video. There is also his original artwork. We spent close to 2 hours in the museum. Really great memories of watching his show. Museum put together well!

I was at the Opening for the Red Skelton Museum. I love it & would highly recommend people visit it while in the Vincennes area.