In 1941, Smithfield native Ava Gardner’s mom told The State about a call with her daughter’s new boyfriend — American box-office star Mickey Rooney.
Ava Gardner
Livin’ on a Prayer at Gotham’s Deli
In Smithfield, a family has blessed North Carolina’s Coastal Plain with a welcoming New York-style deli.
Wonder Women
In March, Women’s History Month celebrates the heroines whose bravery, compassion, and determination have shaped the story of North Carolina — and the world.
35 of North Carolina’s Most Unforgettable Museums
Satisfy your curiosity by visiting some of our state’s wild, wonderful, and yes, sometimes (lovably) wacky museums, big and small.
Our Ava
Ava Gardner lit the world on fire with her breathtaking beauty and fiery spirit. She was raised as a farmer’s daughter near Smithfield. She transformed herself into a Hollywood starlet, a crooner’s wife, and a legacy. The world will never forget her. And we will never stop remembering — she was ours.
