Andy Griffith Museum 2018

The The Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, NC hosts the meet and greet for Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou of the Andy Griffith Show) that we attended in June. I have been to the museum many times in the past.  It was certainly interesting to view but in one big way it always miffed me.  You weren't allowed to take pictures...even with the flash off.  Well recently they did a massive renovation to the space adding many new artifacts and beautifully crafted vignettes. ..and now allow flashless photography!!!!
The above and below photos are in the entryway of the museum made to look like downtown Mount Airy Storefronts.  The first few displays are items from Andy's early days.

You can't get much earlier than this. 
On display is a rocking chair made by Andy's dad for his mom to rock baby Andy in.

Next is a facade of The Earle Theatre.  On the "screen" is a digital presentation of Andy's theater productions and artifacts in the window displays.

Behind the Mount Airy town area is the TAGS section, first featuring 
an officer costume shirt from the show.

and Deputy Badge ..."pointed and silver".

Off to the left are downtown Mayberry store front facades.

An area with some of Don Knott's costumes. 

The old "Salt and Pepper"...."just perfect for the dip."

A suit worn by Gomer and then Goober in later episodes.

  Barney:"This is a plain clothes operation."
 Gomer:" I've got a brown suit that is pretty plain.  This brown suit was a tiny white thread running through it...it might not be plain enough."

Goober's classic look.
You know Goober takes off on Cary Grant.
"Judy, Judy, Judy!"

The court house with the original set of door plaques from the show.

Floyd's Barbershop store front.  

 It's clever they put one of Barney's election posters in the window here.

Barney: "What do you mean you don't think you can put up my poster?"
Floyd: "Oh..I never put up posters in my window Barney.  It spoils the decor."
Barney: "A mud slide couldn't spoil that decor."

Of course this poster is from Return to Mayberry (the 1986 movie) not from the original 1960 series episodes.

Next is a jail cell display featuring costume pieces for Otis Campbell.  It's even got the little jail cell window up top as part of the display!

Two sets of keys from the show.  One normal set (left) with it's teeth still in place and another one where Cousin Virgil polished them off.

Directly across from the jail cell (clever!) is the courthouse desk.  The desk has several show props.  Barney's chair from the show is on the left and has been bronzed.  Also cleverly this is the backside of the courthouse doors.

"This mechanically perfect, RJ300 motorcycle, that's official Army nomenclature, is as of now an official part of the Mayberry Sheriff's Department rolling stock.
Check Point Chickie!"

Outside is a vintage motorcycle side car like one from the episode, "Barney's Sidecar" season 4.  Folks are allowed to climb in it for photo ops.  The sidecar used to be in the building and had a helmet for the complete look.  But the helmet is now gone, I guess other folks feel like how Barney and his mother did about not liking people wearing their hats.

 "
Floyd:"Did you ever see what is written in the cement outside the shop out there?"

A reference to episode "The Case of the Punch in the Nose" from season 5. Only I think it's actually Emma Lawrence.

Also at the museum are artifacts from Andy Griffith's early comedy routines, Matlock, and a horrible crappy country music video he was in later in life.

Visit!
Andy Griffith Museum
218 Rockford St
Mount Airy, NC 27030
336-786-1604