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GEORGE LINDSEY WARDROBE DONATION
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. - Wardrobe items donated by actor George Lindsey will be unveiled in a public ceremony at the Andy Griffith Museum at 11:00 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2010. Lindsey, beloved for his portrayal of mechanic Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D., has donated some of the wardrobe he wore on those classic TV shows and for other performances. "We are thrilled to have these memorable pieces of wardrobe donated to the Andy Griffith Museum," says Jessica Morris, Museum Director. "We appreciate George Lindsey's generosity and are pleased that he has selected our museum as the permanent home for these important items.""It's an honor for me both to have my stuff on display and also that people want to see it," Lindsey says. "Of course," he adds, "this 'stuff' was on TV a long time-and still is. Generations of TV watchers continue to love Mayberry and all of its characters. I'm proud to have portrayed one of those characters. The love is mutual."
Among those expected to be on hand for the unveiling is actress Betty Lynn, who played Barney Fife's girlfriend, Thelma Lou, on The Andy Griffith Show and is now a resident of Mount Airy. Lindsey, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., is unable to attend the unveiling, but he has asked fellow Nashvillian Jim Clark, Presiding Goober of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, to be a Goober-like presence at the ceremony. In a response echoing Goober Pyle, Clark said, "Yo! I'll do it."
Lindsey's donation comes less than a month before the 21st Annual Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, September 23-26. Tens of thousands of Mayberry fans and at least 10 actors from The Andy Griffith Show are expected to be at this year's festival, which organizers anticipate will be the largest yet, in part because October 3 of this year marks the 50th Anniversary of The Andy Griffith Show. Much excitement about the milestone anniversary is building among Mayberry fans. Mount Airy in general and Mayberry Days in particular are becoming focal points for many fans' commemorations.
Located at 218 Rockford Street in Mount Airy, the Andy Griffith Museum is home to the world's largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia relating to the life and career of native son Andy Griffith. Most of the vast collection has been compiled over many decades by Mount Airy resident Emmett Forrest, Griffith's friend since childhood. Forrest will be on hand to officially unveil the items donated by Lindsey.
Admission to the museum, normally $3 per person, is being waived on the morning of the unveiling of Lindsey's items. Inspired by the fact that water and air were free at Wally's Service Station, where Goober and cousin Gomer Pyle worked in Mayberry, the Andy Griffith Museum decided it would be fitting to celebrate this special event with free admission as well.
The museum's hours are Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.For more information about the unveiling ceremony, the Andy Griffith Museum and Mayberry Days call the Surry Arts Council at 336-786-7998 or visit www.surryarts.org.
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