Sip, if you're ever over here on the Right Coast, traveling I-95 through North Carolina, you'll pass right by Smithfield, birthplace of the lovely Ava Gardner. There is an Ava Gardner museum there. Never been myself, but it's a well-known local spot.
Funny story: when Bruce Springsteen played a concert in Chapel Hill, North Carolina a few years ago, he sang "Darlington County" (which is about him and buddy traveling down to the Carolinas from New York) and he ad-libbed during part of the lyrics, "We're goin' to the Ava Gardner Museum." Guess he must've seen the signs while en route to Chapel Hill.
When I was making the turn from boy to adolescent, Miss Gardiner was in her prime. She convinced me there was something to this girl thing I should look into.
I think she was married to Mickey Rooney before she became a star. Yeah, she was one of those women who you'd consider beautiful in any era, dressed in any style.