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Tuesday 10am - 4pm Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Ava Gardner Museum

Name: Ava Gardner Museum
Address: 325 E Market Street, Smithfield, NC, 27577, US
Telephone: +19199345830
Price range: $
Rating: 4.9

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Ava Gardner Museum

Minutes away from her childhood home, the Ava Gardner Museum offers visitors a comprehensive look into the life of the beloved Golden-Age actress
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Special events scheduled throughout the year and information provided on the website.

09/01/2026

Didn't quite get enough Ava during Summer under the Stars? You're in luck.
⭐💃 Announcing the 2026 Ava Gardner Festival! ⭐💃
Flamenco, films, food.

For tickets, information, & more 🔗
https://bit.ly/4ikmQ4c

08/31/2026

Today’s the day—and we’re all smiles! 😁

Just like Ava, we can’t hide our excitement! The countdown is over, and it’s Ava’s day on Turner Classic Movies’ ! ✨ Have you tuned in yet? Which films are you looking forward to most?

And don’t fret once the credits roll! Stay tuned for more information about the Ava Gardner Museum’s annual Ava Gardner Festival, taking place October 2–4 in Smithfield, NC.🎬

For more information: https://bit.ly/4xgjG62

08/28/2026

Our countdown to Ava Gardner’s day on is almost complete! ⏰

One of Ava’s most iconic roles was as “Maria Vargas,” a Spanish nightclub dancer turned movie star, in ‘The Barefoot Contessa’ (1954). The character is celebrated for her beauty, pursued by the public, and surrounded by people who believe they know her. Ava understood that experience better than most. ❤️

Ava wrote about the role in her autobiography: “Of all the pictures I’ve made…there’s no doubt that The Barefoot Contessa is the one that most people identify me with. That damn advertising line, “The World’s Most Beautiful Animal,” will probably follow me around until the end of time.”

Maria Vargas is glamorous, mysterious, independent, vulnerable and, ultimately, unwilling to let the world completely define her. Ava’s portrayal of Maria as she faces the complexities of becoming a star is one of her most memorable, celebrated, and magnificent performances. Don’t miss your chance to see it on August 31 on TCM. 🎬

Interested in learning more about Ava’s iconic roles? Stay tuned for more information about the Ava Gardner Festival taking place in Smithfield, NC October 2-4!

08/26/2026

We’re getting closer to Ava Gardner’s day on Turner Classic Movies ! 💫 Today, we're celebrating Ava as “Maxine Faulk” in ‘The Night of the Iguana’ (1964).

The film starred Ava alongside Richard Burton and Deborah Kerr on a set filled with intrigue. The cast was able to produce a tremendous film - and one of the most memorable of Ava’s career.

Maxine’s bold, unapologetic, and sultry persona was grounded in an earthy performance by Ava and punctuated by her return to a natural southern drawl.

Be sure to catch Ava as Maxine in ‘The Night of the Iguana’ at 10:15 PM on Monday, August 31 on TCM! 🦎

You can learn more about Ava’s role in this film by visiting the Ava Gardner Museum! When’s the best time to do it? During our upcoming Ava Gardner festival which will occur at the museum on October 2-4! Stay tuned to learn more! ✨

08/24/2026

We are ONE WEEK away from Ava’s day on Turner Classic Movies as part of ! 💫

And with a lineup like this, Frank clearly knew what he was talking about! 😉 Are you tuning in? Check out the full schedule and let us know what movie you’re looking forward to most! 🎬

Want to stay connected with Ava even after August 31? Stay tuned for more information about the Ava Gardner Museum’s annual Ava Gardner Festival, taking place October 2–4 in Smithfield, NC!

For more information: https://bit.ly/4xgjG62

08/21/2026

We continue our countdown to all things Ava during with her unforgettable performance as “Eloise ‘Honey Bear’ Kelly” in ‘Mogambo’ (1953), a remake of Clark Gable’s 1932 film ‘Red Dust.”

For Ava, the film was more than a remake. She had what she called a “special attachment” to it. She had seen ‘Red Dust’ as a child alongside her mother, both of whom were smitten by Gable. This film provided her with an opportunity to bring that experience full circle and work with Gable for the third time. Additionally, filming ‘Mogambo’ launched a deep and important relationship that would last a lifetime - her friendship with Grace Kelly. 💛

Beyond her relationship with her costars, the film brought Ava acclaim unlike anything she had received before. Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination, the only one of her career. She later wrote that “as far as my career as an actress went, Mogambo was probably as close to a pinnacle as anything I’ve done.”

Don’t touch that dial and be sure to settle in at 8 PM on Monday, August 31 for Ava’s stellar performance in ‘Mogambo’ on TCM. 🐘

Interested in learning more about Ava’s unforgettable performances? Be sure to check back for more information about the Ava Gardner Festival happening in Smithfield, NC on October 2-4! ✨

08/19/2026

We’re counting down to a full day of Ava Gardner on Turner Classic Movies by highlighting a few of the wonderful films in the lineup! 🎬

Directed John Huston and starring Paul Newman, 'The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean' (1972) stars Ava in a brief but memorable role as Lillie Langtry, the celebrated actress whom Judge Roy Bean worships from afar.

Langtry was a tremendous beauty whose image captured the public imagination, much as Ava’s own beauty and screen presence made her one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars. In a role that required legendary beauty, unmistakable charm, and a larger-than-life presence, Ava was a perfect fit. 🩷

Catch ‘The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean’ on TCM on Monday, August 31 at 5:45 PM…and be sure to tune in to all of the movies before and after, too!

Want to continue the Ava excitement even after August 31? Stay tuned for more information about the Ava Gardner Museum’s annual Ava Gardner Festival, which will occur in Smithfield, NC on October 2-4! ✨

08/17/2026

Attention, Ava fans! 📣

Ever wanted the opportunity to watch Ava on screen for an entire day? August 31 is your chance.

That’s right - two weeks from TODAY you can settle in for a full day of all things Ava. We are very excited that Ava is closing out Turner Classic Movie’s month-long series ! 💫

The line-up is stellar and full of films you don’t want to miss! Which movie are you looking forward to most? 🎬

Wondering how you can stay connected with Ava even after August 31? Stay tuned for more information about the Ava Gardner Museum’s annual Ava Gardner Festival, which will occur in Smithfield, NC on October 2-4! ✨

08/14/2026

Did someone say ? 🎬 Can you finish the line?

“The measure of love is…..” ♥️

Hint: This is a line spoken in ‘Pandora and the Flying Dutchman’ (1951) starring Ava and James Mason.

Drop your answers in the comments! 👇

08/13/2026

in 1947, ‘Singapore’ premiered, starring Ava alongside Fred MacMurray. 🖤

A mysterious tale of pearl smuggling, romance, and lost memories, 'Singapore' is also notable as one of four film noirs Ava starred in. Can you name the other three? 🎬

Address

325 E Market Street
Smithfield, NC
27577

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm

Telephone

+19199345830

Website

http://www.avagardner.org/

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