Vincennes University plans expansion of Red Skelton Museum
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Vincennes University plans to expand its Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy.
University trustees accepted a $4 million commitment this week from Lothian Skelton to grow the museum in Vincennes’ Red Skelton Performing Arts Center.
Lothian Skelton is the widow of comedian and Vincennes native Red Skelton.
The 7,200-square-foot museum expansion is expected to bring additional gallery and event space as well as a serving kitchen and added room for archives. The university expects to break ground on the project in October.
“We are profoundly grateful to Mrs. Lothian Skelton for her generous gift,” VU President Chuck Johnson said in a news release. “This will be a very nice addition to the University’s facilities as well as a nice addition for the community, and it is a great way to further celebrate Red Skelton and expand on the museum’s collections and display areas.”
The Museum of American Comedy was dedicated on July 18, 2013, which would have been Skelton’s 100th birthday. In 2017, the Indiana Historical Bureau dedicated a state historical marker commemorating Red Skelton in Vincennes.
The university also saw the swearing in of a new trustee this week. Jeff Cochren, superintendent of the South Knox school district, joins the board in place of former South Knox superintendent Tim Grove.
