A Bigger Draw: Griffith museum adds Mayberry mementos

Credit: Journal Photo by David Rolfe

Sheriff Andy Taylor's uniform shirt, which is on display in the museum, has been joined by the keys to the Mayberry Jail.

By: John Hinton | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: January 22, 2010

MOUNT AIRY

Emmett Forrest pointed to the newest exhibits in the Andy Griffith Museum -- two sets of keys to the Mayberry Jail, a brass American eagle, a wooden gavel that was on Sheriff Andy Taylor's desk, and a poster of Griffith in his sheriff's uniform promoting Post Toasties Corn Flakes.

Those are among hundreds of items being displayed in the museum, which opened Nov. 6. The exhibits include hundreds of photographs, scripts, clothing and other items that pay tribute to actor Andy Griffith and his popular The Andy Griffith Show.

Forrest, a tour guide, and Tanya Jones, the Surry Arts Council's executive director, said that the museum should be a popular attraction in Mount Airy despite the recession.

"We had people here today from Rhode Island, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina," Forrest said.

About 20 people toured the museum yesterday. Since it opened, it has attracted 5,410 visitors, Jones said.

"We think we are a very affordable destination," Jones said. "People are looking for a simpler time."

The museum is open seven days a week, and admission is $3. The museum shares a site at 218 Rockford St. with the Andy Griffith Playhouse and an old-time-music heritage hall.

Jessica Morris, the museum's director, has noticed more people coming to the museum.

"Things have started picking up already," Morris said. "People are choosing sites close to home."

The 2,500-square-foot museum is a permanent home to Griffith memorabilia, which was previously housed in the playhouse. It is owned by the city of Mount Airy and operated by the Surry Arts Council.

The museum cost $600,000 to build. The arts council received $350,000 from the N.C. Rural Center, $150,000 from Surry County and $100,000 from a foundation gift.

Forrest has collected items from the show and Griffith's career for 25 years.

Forrest said that Griffith, who grew up in a house near the museum, gave him many of the items. Forrest is a schoolmate and friend of Griffith's.

Forrest said that Griffith last visited the collection in 2004 when it was displayed in the Mount Airy Visitors Center.

Griffith, 83, lives with his wife, Cindi, on a waterfront estate on Roanoke Island in Dare County.

An exhibit shows 35 names of landmarks, streets and businesses that were part of the Mount Airy landscape.The television show used similar references in the fictional Mayberry.

Griffith paid tribute to Emmett Forrest with Emmett's Fix-it Shop.

jhinton@wsjournal.com | 727-7299