The glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Era and the undeniable beauty of actress Ava Gardner will captivate you when you walk into the Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield, North Carolina.
It’s hard to believe that the dazzling Ava, whom many consider one of the most beautiful Hollywood starlets ever to appear on film, was once just a simple barefoot farm girl from a teeny tiny town in the south.
She said, “Although no one believes me, I have always been a country girl and still have a country girl’s values.”
After graduating from Rock Ridge School (near Wilson), Ava enrolled in a secretarial program at Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College).
She never went looking for stardom; it found her. Ava’s photo was seen in the window of her brother-in-law’s photography studio, and whoosh, she was off to Hollywood for a screen test in which her beauty was so overpowering, the studio overlooked the fact her southern accent was barely understandable.
MGM signed her to a 7-year studio contract for $50 a week.
I didn’t know anything about Ava Gardner before I visited the museum as a guest of Johnston County, but I found her fascinating, and I’ll bet you will too. If you can, I recommend starting your visit with the 17-minute overview film. It ties together much of what you’ll see on display and gives you a big-picture understanding of this remarkable actress.
The memorabilia and personal effects are rotated from time to time, taking you through Ava’s childhood, movie career, and several tumultous romances and marriages.
After visiting the Ava Gardner museum, I couldn’t resist watching The Killers, which was her breakout role, and Mogambo, for which she won an Oscar. Which Ava Gardner movies should I watch next?
I hope you take the opportunity to visit the museum if you’re in Johnston County. For more information on admission, hours and directions, visit avagardner.org
Comments & Reviews
Never heard of her. Think I read an article about Smithfield in Rolling Stone magazine many years ago.
Great pictures, she is very beautiful. Sounds like you had a great visit. Now I need to watch an Ava Gardner movie and make Rob watch it with me, LOL.
She is really beautiful. Very lucky that stardom found her not everyday you hear about that. Looks like you had a great time at this museum!
We always visit NC in the summer. This might be a great addition to our adventures. It is great to find something new to see.
If I am ever near that museum I will definitely go in and have a look around. Ava Gardner was a really great actress and I remember my Mom watching a lot of her movies.
Me too, Michelle. My mom was an avid fan of hers. I can still remember how happy she was after watching an Ava Gardner movie.
Ava Gardner’s beauty is timeless! It is great that there is a museum that showcases memorabilia of her career and humble beginnings. It is a must-visit place for me!
Every photo I have seen of her over the years showed how lovely she was. This would be a great place to visit, particularly for film buffs.
What a beauty! I’d love to see the exhibition myself too!
I would love to see the museum first hand! Interesting facts about the actress. Thank you for posting and I will definitely be checking this out!
That sounds like my kind of museum. Beautiful dresses, and interesting facts on such a star!!
this seems to be an interesting museum indeed. since I have moved to Manchester I have visted around 25 museums in and around the city. this one’s on my list for sure. thanks.
I couldn’t name the day since I’ve seen a movie with her in. My aunt would make me watch all the classics as a child when she’d babysit me. He beauty is spectacular, the eyes in particular! I will admit I didn’t know she was Southern!
I didn’t even know this museum existed and I live in the Carolinas. Ava Gardner was such a beautiful woman and a remarkable actress. I’m adding this to my “Must Do” list.
I am not one for museums but for Ava I think I would risk the plight. Such a beauty
I would love to see that museum! Ava Gardner was such a beauty and such a talent.
Wow I had no idea there was even such a thing! She seemed like such an amazing movie goddess, would love to check this museum out.
My MIL is a huge fan of old Hollywood. She would love to visit this museum. She has met and had her picture taken with so many A-list actors I’m green with envy.
I’m a fan of old classic movies and Ava Gardner would certainly be up there on my all time favourite classic actress list. Apart from the movies you mentioned above she was also great in the 1950’s musical Show Boat.
I love all types of old Hollywood so this museum would be so much fun for me! Next time we head up that way we will be going for sure.
A beautiful lady indeed, I have to admit I have never heard of Ava Gardner. I would love to visit NYC some day and visit all of the Museums. Looks like you enjoyed yourself and had a fantastic time.
I have to admit I didn’t know much about Ava Gardner until I read this, but what an amazing sounding place to visit and it is lovely they rotate the memorabilia on show.
To be honest, I don’t know anything about Ava Gardner, except her name. She was indeed very beautiful. It’s nice when you get to know a little bit of other people’s life, especially when they are famous, and when you realise that they are just the same as us, having the same fears and struggles.
Very beautiful woman! I spent a few hours in the museum last week. Have a nice new week!
What a fun museum to go to!! I love to visit museums when we travel!
I have to admit I love museums as well – there is something amazing about seeing the past almost come to life. x
This is actually the first time I am hearing of Ava she truly is beautiful and I like that she comes from a humble upbringing. It probably kept her very grounded.
I had never heard of her before either, I love hearing more about how stardom found her though! This would be a wonderful place for me to visit, very fascinating!
I didn’t really know much about Ava but I love discussing museums like this x
I love this era, we recently did a lot of research on pictures for a photoshoot we recently did, the pictures are amazing x
I have not heard of Ava before, but it was nice to read. I don’t enjoy much visiting the museums as I find them boring. Not all, but some of them.
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AVA! She was absolutely beautiful! What a cool exhibit – I would definitely check that out! I would also love to see something like this for Audrey and Lucy!
This museum looks like a lovely place to visit. Ava Gardner is one beautiful lady.
My mom loves ava gardner! What a really cool place!
I was married in Ava Gardner’s former home in the Hollywood Hills! It was a wonderful midcentury modern home with views of the LA city lights. You could so see Ava and Frank hanging out there. I had NO idea she was a southern girl, now I like her even more!
OH my gosh, you got married in her former home? That is seriously the coolest thing!
What an amazing museum. I didn’t know this existed. Definitely a place I would love to go and enjoy. I adore old hollywood.
Ava Gardner was just an absolute classic! We just don’t have women like her anymore. I love her style and grace!
Wow never heard of Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, North Carolina. Now it’s on my list to see when I am around that region… Thanks for linking the official website!
you can’t beat old hollywood glamour it fascinates me Ava was definitely a very glam woman x
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I love museums like this and getting lost in the lives of other people. Thanks for sharing.
Corinne x
This isn’t my favorite time period, but I still like it. There’s a real class, elegance and dignity back then where it was all about respect. If I will ever visit Johnson County, I’ll surely stop by the Ava Gardner Museum !
This sounds like a really neat museum. I love learning about people’s lives and what I don’t know about them.
I love the old Hollywood glam. This isn’t to far from me. I would love to go check it out. I see a weekend family getaway coming up real soon.
Looks like a great trip, what a learning experience. I Had not heard of Ava Gardner before, was fun to read a bit and see photos of her!
I had heard of Ava Gardner but I did not know how she was discovered. What a big break!
I love museums like that. There is nothing like old Hollywood. There was such class even though behind the scenes they were normal people with normal problems. I just love how they all took beauty to a level that isn’t captured anymore. We can learn a lot from them. Be a classy lady!
Hollywood glamour is so fun to see. They really were so much classier back then!
I love old world Hollywood. Everyone was so glamorous, especially Ava Gardner. She is an icon of days gone by.
I love looking back at this time in Hollywood. Everyone made it a point to exude class and style.
Ava Gardner will always be one of my favorite actresses! I would love to visit this museum.
I absolutely adore her. Her “country girl” qualities aren’t that obvious but the way she brings herself out is the one showing her sweet side. I should probably revisit my old tapes with her.
I love finding museums like this. This looks so interesting, and I love old Hollywood Glam.
Old Hollywood glamour! She’s such a beautiful person inside and out, she’s very simple and yet she can light up the whole room. It would be delightful to visit this museum.
Omg I just love all things old Hollywood! Makes me wish stars were this glamorous these days! This museum must of been neat to go to 🙂
I love museums like that. My parents always made a point of stopping at places like that when we vacationed. Now I find myself seeking them out with out kids. Doesn’t matter if our kids have never heard of the person, we can all learn something.
My first and only trip to NC was such a whirlwind I feel like I missed seeing so much when I was there. I had no idea her museum is there and I will be sure to visit when I am out there again! Great share!
She was such a gorgeous woman and seemingly a strong one too. I also really don’t know much about her and love these types of museums for that very reason!
Oh my goodness, she is gorgeous! I love visiting museums that honor celebrities. The next time I am in North Carolina I will be sure to check it out.
She was definitely a classic beauty! If I am ever in the area, I’ll be sure to check out the museum!
I never heard of Ava Gardner either. Probably from the same era as Mariyln Monroe in which people think she was the only regal star of the time. I loved that era all of the Hollywood actresses have a timeless beauty…amazing!
This would be an amazing museum to go to. I would love to learn more about Ava Gardner.
Now that is one museum I would love for sure. What an amazing lady and so beautiful too. I am going to have to grab a couple of her movies and watch them now.
This sounds like a cool place, I like low key places like this. They usually are the best, I’ve not heard of Ava Gardner before. She was so freaking beautiful.
Never heard about this place but it was a cool place to visit
I’ve never been in that museum, I’ve heard this before, I’m so glad that I saw and heard it again.
Sounds like a cool museum! I would love to visit this place, obsessed with Hollywood 🙂
I don’t know much about Ava Gerdner but she is beautiful and has a face that can be timelessly loved for ages. The museum is a great idea to give tribute to her.
I really want to visit this if I get there so thankyou for sharing! Ava Gardner sounds familiar though don’t know where I’ve heard of her.
Wow, she’s stunning! It’s it amazing how much we can learn by visiting different parts of the world? Even if it’s just in our town. Museums are da bomb!
I don’t know much about her, but my mom is a fan. She would love to visit this museum, for sure.
I didn’t know she had her own museum. My grandfather LOVED her!
I’ve heard her before I wish I can also have time to visit her museum.
I genuinely don’t follow anything like this so don’t know much about her at all but what a stunning woman!
I recognise her name but am ashamed to know nothing else about Ava Gardner. Weren’t women so glamorous back then? She oozes sultriness!
I can’t believe I have never heard of her before! She is stunning x
What a classy lady, I can’t believe how timeless those dresses are in the display and she was so gorgeous too!
Such a stunning and classy lady. This looks like a really neat museum. This would be something I would be interested in seeing too.
I had to Google her whilst reading this post as I could not remember where I had come across her name , soon as I saw spouse of Frank Sinatra, I remembered x
Ah,being from North Carolina myself, this would be really interesting for me to see. I live in Andy Griffith’s hometown, so perhaps I should do a post about that!
Looking of that photo of her smoldering in black and white, I’d never have believed that she’s a country girl! I’d love to visit this place to find out even more about her 🙂
We have never had anyone quite like her! Sensual, sexual, alluring, beautiful without trying! Even the stunning Liz Taylor stated that Ava was more beautiful. Ava’s private life and lovers were like a Fellini movie! But she never ended up on pills and shrink’s couches! I and many others recommend The Barefoot Contessa to really admire her beauty and style. Then I would follow up with On The Beach and Night of the Iguana. The gossip columns loved reporting her love affairs with Spanish bull fighters, see her in The Sun Also Rises, and she was close friends to genius writers like Hemmingway and Tennessee Williams. Not bad for an uneducated little NC girl! Love her, miss her!
Thank you for your wonderful movie suggestions! I didn’t realize Liz Taylor had such glowing things to say about Ava. She really was a remarkable beauty.
I feel as if her coming from a small town isn’t as surprising to me because I’ve grown up in Georgia where many small town people have grown into fame – such as Jennifer Nettles in Sugarland (a country singer) who actually is from my town.
Ava Gardner was such a beautiful woman, and someone I looked up to when I was an actress. Classic beauty!
My mom use to love Ava Gardner. I didn’t know there was an Ava Gardner Museum. I’ll have to convince my mom to take a trip there with me.
She is a very beautiful lady. I would definitely want to visit her museum.
This looks like an interesting place to visit; I never would have guessed Ava was an underdog of sorts, starting out in Hollywood in this manner.
I like the idea of seeing an overview film first at this museum before exploring it.
This looks like a fun place to visit. I have never heard of Ava.
I learned many new things about Ava Gardner just from this post. I will keep her museum in mind when I am on the area. Sounds interesting!
Ok, I’m jealous! i must visit. I love Ava Gardner so I think this is so cool
I’m from the south, but I’ve never heard of Ava Gardner before! North Carolina isn’t far from us, I need to check this place out!
I have never heard of Ava before but it sounds like she has an interesting story. I’ll have to have a look into her, glad you enjoyed your day at the museum
The museum sounds really interesting. I’ve never heard of Ava Gardner.. Now i’d like to learn more. Angela from Daysinbed
I’ve heard of here but I didn’t realise they had a museum for her. Might be worth a visit.
I don’t recall ever watching a film with Ava Gardner in it. I love old movies and, if I can find the time, would love to watch the two you mentioned. It’s great to see the results of a success story.
I used to love watching old movies growing up. I haven’t in a while
She sure was such a beauty! I had no idea there was a museum devoted just to her though! Something I will need to keep in mind.
She’s an awesome actress and she has such a beautiful face. I love that she is a simple woman, not really that glamorous unless she needs to be. She’s amazing!
I didn’t realize they had a museum for her. Will have to visit it someday.
She has a very cool story. I am sure that the museum was a lot of fun. It looks like a cool place to visit.
Wow! I had no idea they had a museum for her. I think it’s awesome. Would love to visit one day.
I haven’t seen any movies with Ava Gardner in it ,so this is very interesting.
I can’t believe you have never seen an Ava Gardner film. She was so beautiful and she lit up the silver screen.
Ava Gardner is an iconic starlet. I love that they have a museum in her honor to let new generations learn about her legacy.
I love going to museums! If I’m ever in NC I will definitely check it out.
She was such a stunner! That sounds like a great museum. I love classic films.
Love Ava Gardner especially her Show Boat movie. I had no idea there was a museum all about her.
Ava Gardner is a great actress & definitely one of those most beautiful Hollywood start icon I admired. The Ava Gardner Museum sounds like a wonderful place to visit & that memorabilia will be a great idea to know more about her.
I’ve heard her name before but don’t know her well enough to say much..other than how beautiful she looks in those photos. Didn’t everyone look stunning back then though? Looks like it was a day well spent at the museum! 🙂
An absolutely gorgeous glamourous woman! Beautiful inside and out – and those dresses! *swoons*
She’s really pretty and all. I haven’t seen her movies and I’m curious to know about it. Good thing they have a museum about her.
How glamorous was she? It also sounds like such an amazing museum, how I wish I lived close enough to be able to go to it!
How come I never heard of her before? She looks gorgeous and so glamourous! I would love to visit the museum to learn more about her!
So glam! I love how she was discovered! I’d never heard of her to be honest, always nice to discover another glam starlett
well, she looked totally stunning in “The killers”. Perfect star!
I love visiting museums, and I truly see it not just an escape but a way to see things beyond the norm. Maybe understand what others are trying to share.
Love a good museum trip!
While I knew a little bit about Ava Gardner, more particularly her role in Hollywood, I didn’t know much about her roots. This is really interesting!
wow, that looks really cool. I didn’t know some of that about her. We will actually visitng SC soon, but not sure we will be in that area. If we are we will have to try and see it.
Wow that looks like a great museum to visit. I’d love to learn more about Ava Gardner!
I love Ava Gardner! I bet the museum that celebrates her is awesome! This made me want to add it to my bucket list of places to visit.
These pictures look awesome .its alway interesting to visit the past throught museums make you wonder how it would be like if you we born in that era .
I’m not that familiar with all of her movies. But I know Ava Gardner garnered a lot of respect during her career. Looks like a great place to visit in NC.