All about Ava......

Ava Gardner Museum

The Ava Gardner Museum is home to an incredible collection including original scripts, photos, costumes, and personal effects of screen legend Ava Gardner—a true Hollywood “Cinderella” story. Experience her rise from a local country girl to one of Hollywood’s film goddesses. Born near Smithfield, Ava’s friends and co-stars included Mickey Rooney, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, and Gregory Peck. Her grave site is located in nearby Sunset Memorial Gardens, approximately two miles from the museum. Merchandise is available for purchase.

The museum is open daily, Mon-Sat, 9am - 5pm, Sun 2pm - 5pm.
Wheelchair accessible, public restrooms. Free parking along
street and rear lots. Admission: $6 adults; $5 seniors;
$4 children ages 6-12.

325 E. Market St., Smithfield  (919) 934-5830  www.avagardner.org

Origin of Ava Collection   The Ava Gardner Museum exists largely as a result of Dr. Tom Banks, a psychologist, and his wife, Lorraine, a school librarian, who together from their home in Florida collected Ava memorabilia as a hobby. The couple had planned to donate their collection to a university in New York state, but after a contact with a Smithfield reporter in 1978, they decided it would be better located in Ava's native territory. In addition to the collection donated by the Banks family, there are many additional items donated or loaned by family, friends and fans of Ava.   Beginning in 1980, Dr. Banks operated his own museum in Ava's childhood home near Smithfield for nine years during summer months. In August of 1989 he suffered a stroke at the museum and died a few days later. Ava died six months later in January of 1990. Lorraine Banks donated the collection to the Town of Smithfield in the summer of 1990. In January of 1991, Lorraine Banks died unexpectedly in Florida.   AVA Advocates   The museum receives donations from visitors and is supported by annual memberships of AVA Advocates. Memberships available are: Member, $25; Sponsor, $50; and Fellow, $100.
Donations are tax deductible.
Membership application by mail to:
AVA Advocates 325 E. Market Street Smithfield, NC 27577 Telephone: 919-934-5830