Ava Gardner Museum

The Ava Gardner Museum, one of North Carolina's most unique attractions, honors the life, loves, and legacy of one of Hollywood's most glamorous leading ladies. The Ava Gardner Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. www.avagardner.org From the moment you enter the Museum, you get an in-depth look at the life of the silver-screen legend Ava Gardner and the glory days of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Experience Ava's rise from a small town farmer's daughter to an international sensation. Discover the real Ava Gardner as you take the self-guided tour through more than 5,000 square feet of exhibit space, including a theater and library. You'll see extraordinary costumes, movie posters and awards that represent Ava's 50-year career as a leading Hollywood actress. The Museum also houses a collection of personal items of china, jewelry, clothing and fine art, including portraits by Bert Pfeiffer, a Dutch artist whose collection was donated to the museum in 2001. Get to know the people who played important roles in Ava's life. Her circle of close friends included celebrities such as Gregory Peck, Grace Kelly, Lena Horne, Ernest Hemingway, Robert Graves and Howard Hughes. You'll also learn about Ava's marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra. The museum is proud to house and display many artifacts documenting the life-long love and friendship between Ava and third husband Frank Sinatra, whom she always considered "the love of her life." The Museum's gift shop offers unique merchandise and souvenirs to commemorate your visit. The museum is the only authorized retailer of Ava Gardner memorabilia. Orders can also be placed online or by calling the museum. The Smithfield area has several sites any true Ava fan would want to visit. Several are open to the public. The Ava Gardner Heritage Trail was a project funded by the Winston-Salem Foundation, to tell more of Ava Gardner's story through sites important to her life in North Carolina.