Andy Griffith Museum Unveils Items From 'Goober' on Aug. 27

    MOUNT AIRY, N.C. - Items donated by actor George Lindsey will be unveiled in a public ceremony at Mount Airy's Andy Griffith Museum on Friday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m.

 

    Lindsey, who played the lovably bumbling mechanic Goober Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and on Mayberry R.F.D., has donated several key wardrobe items from his famous role.

 

    "It's an honor for me both to have my stuff on display and also that people want to see it," Lindsey said. "Of course, this 'stuff' was on TV a long time - and still is. Generations of TV watchers continue to love Mayberry and all its characters. I'm proud to have portrayed one of those characters. The love is mutual."

 

    Lindsey, who lives in Nashville, Tenn., is unable to attend the unveiling, but has asked fellow Nashvillian Jim Clark, "Presiding Goober" of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, to provide a Goober-esque presence at the ceremony.

 

    In addition to Clark, others expected on hand for the unveiling include Mount Airy resident Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show.

 

    Museum director Jessica Morris is thrilled to receive such memorable artifacts from The Andy Griffith Show, which turns 50 years old in October and is still widely available in re-runs.

 

    "We appreciate George Lindsey's generosity and are pleased he selected our museum as the permanent home for these important items," said Morris.

 

    Lindsey's donation comes less than a month before Mount Airy's 21st annual Mayberry Days festival, Sept. 23-26. Tens of thousands of Mayberry fans, and at least 10 actors from The Andy Griffith Show, are expected for this year's festival. Organizers predict it will be the largest yet, especially since Oct. 3 marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic show.

 

    Located at 218 Rockford Street, the museum is home to the world's largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia of native son Andy Griffith. Much of the collection has been compiled over the last quarter century by local resident Emmett Forrest, Griffith's friend since childhood. Forrest will be on hand to officially 
unveil the items donated by Lindsey.

 

    Since Goober always provided free water and air at Wally's Service Station, admission to the museum will be waived for the unveiling. For info about the unveiling, museum or Mayberry Days, call the Surry Arts Council at (336) 786-7998 or go to: www.andygriffithmuseum.com.

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