Have you ever been on a trip and met someone that made an impact on you? Maybe they were incredibly welcoming or made the new place you were visiting seem less scary. Sometimes a friendly face is all it takes to turn a bad trip into a good one. This is our goal with our Interview With a Local Series; to introduce you to new people—familiar faces—who we hope will not only make your visit to our small towns in Knox County better but also make you want to come back and see more.
A long-time resident of Vincennes, Anne Pratt is a respected and active member of the community. Keep reading to learn more about her.
Have you always lived in Vincennes/Knox County?
I was born and raised in Vincennes but moved away after college. I lived in Chicago, Houston, Jasper, IN, and Hickory, North Carolina. I was gone for about 25 years before moving back to my roots in Vincennes in 2007.
What site or sites do you work for?
I am the director of the Red Skelton Museum of American Comedy.
What did you do before you started working at the Red Skelton Museum (RSM)?
I was a teacher in Chicago, Houston, and North Carolina before becoming a school librarian and ultimately an elementary school principal here in Vincennes.
What is your favorite part of working at the RSM?
Although my job is mainly in my office or out and about in town, I really enjoy being at the front desk and having the opportunity to meet our guests and find out what they love about Red Skelton or how they found out about the museum.
Can you tell us a little-known fact about the museum?
Although we are located on the campus of Vincennes University we are mainly a self-funded 501c3 organization.
Do you have a favorite artifact, exhibit, or part of the RSM? What and where is it?
I love our character gallery with all of Red Skelton’s original costumes and props from his television show that ran for 20 years.
What made you want to work at the RSM?
I was working on a project for a doctoral program and became involved with the museum as an educational consultant on the board of directors in 2009. In 2011, when they began searching for a full-time employee to help with grant writing and marketing, I applied because I knew I would love the tourism industry.
For lodging, do you prefer hotels, camping, or B&Bs?
I love to travel more than almost anything and I have stayed in all types of accommodations. I think it really depends on the situation which one I prefer.
Where do you like to eat locally?
I love food and I am always looking for something different! I usually try to recommend our locally owned establishments to visitors so they can really experience local flavor!
What is your favorite festival or event in Knox County? Why?
I love Christmas and I love all the events in our town surrounding Christmas including, parades, open houses, and festivals. But of course, the Red Skelton Festival in June is a close second!
What is your favorite season in Knox County? Why?
I love fall. The crisp cool mornings and evenings and the warm afternoons are the best. I also love that we live in an agricultural area and we can see all the farmers in the fields in the fall cutting their crops.
If someone only had 24 hours to spend in Knox County, what would you tell them they needed to do while they were here?
I would definitely tell them they need to visit all of our tourist attractions. We have so much to see here in our small town and it is always a surprise to visitors!
