- [Reporter] It was a long ride from the big city,
and I was hungry.
I wanted a famous pork chop sandwich.
And Bob needed a haircut.
- Just a little off the top today.
- Just a little bit, I see one right there.
I'mma try to weasel it out,
and try to cut it.
I got it. - All right.
- [Reporter] There's so much to see around Mount Airy.
Plenty of looking
and shopping.
And so many places to eat.
The squad car tours take you to all the highlights,
from Wally's Store.
And you know where to go if something breaks down.
And they're still lining up to go in.
Careful now.
[door clangs loudly]
From this small home and humble beginnings,
we can follow Andy Griffith's life story.
We start our tour at the Andy Griffith Playhouse,
which was once the Rockford Street Elementary School
that Andy attended.
And on this very stage, Andy had his first performance
in 3rd grade.
His life's work is now preserved next door,
thanks to Surry Arts Council
and Executive Director, Tanya Jones.
- Andy's childhood friend Emmett Forrest
began collecting memorabilia about 30 years ago,
and we began sharing that collection with the public
in the '90's, and built the museum in 2009,
upfitted it last year with wonderful new exhibits
that you're seeing today.
- [Reporter] Here there's displays of Andy's life work,
from comedy, stage, TV, and movies,
to gospel and country music soundtracks.
- [Andy] And one bunch got it,
and it made the other bunch just as mad as they could be,
and friends, I seen that evening the awfully spot
that I have ever seen in my life.
- And I feel that here in Mount Airy we're very blessed
that he was born here,
and that he took a lot of Mount Airy to
the shows and recordings,
and things that he did in his later life.
♪ Take down your fishing pole ♪
♪ And meet me at the fishin' hole ♪
- [Reporter] The Andy Griffith Show ran from 1960 to 1968
with 249 half-hour episodes for eight seasons.
And the show is still much loved today.
- One thing I've always really loved about the show
is just that it has really good strong family values.
I have a nine-year-old son,
and it's just a really refreshing show
to be able to watch something with him.
- As director of collections,
Abigail is responsible for all the memorabilia.
You can choose a self-guided tour, or rent an audio guide.
I see he went to University of Chapel Hill.
- He did.
Initially, he began studying to be a minister.
That, of course, evolved into acting.
And we see here, he's in the Lost Colony.
He was in the production from 1947 to '53.
- [Reporter] There are so many familiar show items
and then there are some surprises.
- Cindy and Andy Griffith gave us the sheriff's shirt
that he wore in the Andy Griffith Show,
and it is our prized shirt.
Otis Campbell, a beloved character
from the Andy Griffith Show,
we have his jacket as well as his original hat, straw hat.
Also in the museum,
we have Don Knotts' salt and pepper suit.
We have one from the Andy Griffith Show
and then one that he wore on Return to Mayberry.
Both suits, you know, he wore when he went on date night,
or on Sunday, especially on his dates with Thelma Lou.
- Oh, I love the show.
I still love it; I watch it all the time.
And I'm never tired of it.
I think it's the greatest show ever on television.
And it is.
And people love it from all over the world.
They come here,
and they tell me stories of how it affected their lives.
I'm like an old aunt to people.
They grew up with me,
and it's really kind of sweet and wonderful.
I don't think of anything else I ever did
that meant as much to me as the Andy Griffith Show.
- The Andy Griffith Museum
is at 218 Rockford Street in Mount Airy,
and it's open Monday through Saturday
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from one to five.
Meet Betty Lynn days
are held every 3rd Friday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.,
and you can meet Betty for autographs and pictures.
For more information give the museum a call at 336-786-7998
or go online to andygriffithmuseum.com.