The Andy Griffith Museum

Welcome

The Andy Griffith Museum is a place both for learning about and celebrating Andy Griffith, who was born in Mount Airy in 1926. Home of the single largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to Andy Griffith, the museum features hundreds of items from Andy’s life and his career in theater, film, and music. Highlights of the collection include actual props, wardrobe, and other artifacts from The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock that were donated by Cindi and Andy Griffith, members of the casts and crews, and other individuals and organizations.

Many essential and rare items in the museum were lovingly collected by lifelong Mount Airy resident Emmett Forrest, the founding curator of the museum and a friend of Andy’s since childhood. Forrest shepherded the collection to its current building, which was dedicated in 2009.

Though Forrest died in 2013, his passion and vision continue to guide the museum in its mission to preserve and share Andy Griffith’s legacy. Part of that mission was a substantial renovation of the museum’s exhibits that was completed in 2017. The state-of-the art improvements are intended not only to greatly enhance the museum experience for visitors, but also to ensure the careful preservation of the collection for generations to come.

The Andy Griffith Museum is open year-round, seven days a week, except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Additional Exhibits

Admission to the Andy Griffith Museum also includes admission to these other exhibits operated by the Surry Arts Council. All are within walking distance.

• Betty Lynn exhibit

• Old-Time Music Heritage Hall at the Historic Earle Theatre (Monday-Friday 12-2 pm. Saturday and Sunday hours vary)

• Mount Airy to Mayberry Photo exhibit

• Mayberry Mural in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre

• Your Saturday admission to the Andy Griffith Museum also includes a general admission seat at the Historic Earle Theatre for the live radio broadcast of the WPAQ Merry-Go-Round from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

All are within walking distance of the museum. The Surry Arts Council holds various meetings, classes, and programs throughout the year and some of the additional exhibit spaces may be in use for these activities.

WiFi Hotspot

The Surry Arts Council has established a free public wireless hotspot at the Andy Griffith Museum. Look for the SAC-PublicHotSpotMuseum internet connection on your mobile device.