The Ava Gardner Museum is an interpretive museum which describes her life, from growing up near Smithfield, NC, to her discovery by Hollywood, her progress as an actress, her loves, her friends and her travels. A film star of Hollywood’s Golden Era, she was acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful woman was sought by both famous photographers and filmmakers to grace their film.                                                         

The Ava Gardner Museum is home to an extensive collection of historic documents, scripts, photographs, costumes, clothing and paintings. Each object in the museum was either owned by Ava Gardner or her family, used in her films or had a special meaning or relationship to Ava.

A Short History of the Ava Gardner Museum
In 1981 Tom and Lorraine Banks started a small museum which was open just during the summer months. Lorraine donated the collection to the Town of Smithfield in NC upon his death in 1990. With the assistance of Ava’s friends, family, the town of Smithfield and the Johnston County Arts Council, a massive fundraising campaign resulted in a permanent home for the Ava Gardner Museum. Utilizing professional designers for renovations and exhibits, the new Ava Gardner Museum opened in 2000. Each year we have added to our exhibits through purchases at auctions here or abroad or through private collectors.

Ava Gardner Museum                                                                                              325 E. Market Street                                                                                      Smithfield, NC 27577                                                                                           Telephone: 919-934-5830                                                                             avainfo@avagardner.org