Ava Gardner Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1941 |
|---|---|
| Location | Smithfield, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Type | Biographical museum |
The Ava Gardner Museum is a special place in Smithfield, North Carolina. It's all about the famous American actress Ava Gardner. Inside, you'll find lots of cool items from her movies and her personal life. About 7,000 people visit the museum every year!
The Museum's Story
How the Collection Started
The idea for the museum began in 1941 with a fan named Thomas "Tom" Banks. When Tom was 12 years old, he met Ava Gardner at Atlantic Christian College. At that time, Ava was studying to become a secretary.
The next year, Ava didn't return to college. Tom later saw her photo in a newspaper. He learned that she had signed a movie contract with MGM, a big movie studio.
Tom and his wife, Lorraine, started collecting items related to Ava Gardner. They gathered many souvenirs and artifacts. In the early 1980s, Dr. Banks bought the Brogden Teacherage building. This was the house where Ava lived from age 2 to 13.
The Museum Today
After Thomas Banks passed away in 1989, Lorraine Banks gave the entire collection to the town of Smithfield. In 1999, the museum bought its current home. This is a large, renovated building in downtown Smithfield. It is about 6,400 square feet in size.
In 2020, the museum building had a small flood. This happened because of a broken toilet. Luckily, none of the valuable collections were harmed. The museum had to close for a few weeks for repairs.
