Ava Gardner Museum facts for kids
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Established | 1941 |
|---|---|
| Location | Smithfield, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Type | Biographical museum |
The Ava Gardner Museum is a special place in downtown Smithfield, North Carolina. It is all about the famous American actress Ava Gardner. The museum has many interesting items from Ava's movies and her personal life. About 7,000 people visit the museum every year to learn about her story.
How the Museum Started
A Fan's Dream
The idea for this museum began in 1941. A young boy named Thomas "Tom" Banks, who was 12 years old, met Ava Gardner. She was studying to be a secretary at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College).
The next year, Ava did not return to school. Tom saw her picture in a newspaper. He learned that she had signed a movie contract with MGM, a big movie studio. This meant she would become a film star!
Collecting Memories
Tom Banks and his wife, Lorraine, started collecting things related to Ava Gardner. They gathered many items and souvenirs from her career. These items showed her journey from a small town to a Hollywood star.
In the early 1980s, Dr. Banks bought a special house. It was the Brogden Teacherage building, where Ava lived when she was young, from age 2 to 13. This house became a part of their growing collection.
A Gift to the Town
After Thomas Banks passed away in 1989, his wife Lorraine gave the entire collection to the town of Smithfield. This made sure that everyone could enjoy and learn from it.
In 1999, the museum found its current home. It moved into a large, renovated building in downtown Smithfield. This new space is 6,400 square feet, giving plenty of room for all the exhibits.
In 2020, the museum building had a small flood. This was due to a broken toilet. Luckily, none of the valuable collections were harmed. The museum had to close for a few weeks for repairs, but it soon reopened.
