The “Ava: My Real Story” exhibit uses a new photo/video essay-style design in an interactive Kiosk to show visitors who Ava Gardner was as a person, not the movie star. 

For as glamorous as she was to the world, Ava’s personal side was something known well by close friends and family – as a friend she was loyal, warm, and loving, as a business woman she was direct, independent, and humble (an interesting combination).

She was involved in many causes in Hollywood as early on she worked to promote War Bonds in 1942, as a young bride traveling the country with Mickey Rooney.  Later as she traveled with Artie Shaw’s band, she would rebel against clubs that refused to let her friend Lena Horne, or her personal assistant Rene Jordan enter. These stories and more are shared in the new exhibit along with several personal stories from friends and family.