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Smithfield, North Carolina: Ava Gardner Museum

Exhibits on local girl turned screen legend include costumes, photos, Frank Sinatra's watch. She broke his heart, you know.

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Ava Gardner Museum

This is one of my mother's favorite destinations when my folks travel east to the BBQ Belt portion of North Carolina. I've never been there myself but supposedly it was started in Ava Gardner's hometown by a childhood friend who harbored a secret crush on the Hollywood superstar. He kept every memento and press clipping of her career while she was alive, and started the museum after she died. The museum includes over 100,000 Ava Gardner-related items. Includes a gift store for all your one-stop Ava Gardner shopping needs!

[Jeff Eason, 01/21/2001]

Ava Gardner Museum

Address:
325 E. Market St., Smithfield, NC
Directions:
I-95 exit 95. Drive west on Market St./Hwy 70 into town. The museum is located at 325 E. Market. St., right in the middle of downtown.
Phone:
919-934-5830
Admission:
Admission
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Nearby Offbeat Places

Snowball BuildingSnowball Building, Smithfield, NC - < 1 mi.
Daniel Boone: Pioneer GiantDaniel Boone: Pioneer Giant, Four Oaks, NC - 9 mi.
Defender of the Southland StatueDefender of the Southland Statue, Bentonville, NC - 14 mi.
In the region:
Kenly 95 Truck Stop Lighthouse, Kenly, NC - 12 mi.

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