Ava Gardner Museum tabs new director

Submitted by Ava Gardner Museum

SMITHFIELD — The Ava Gardner Museum board of directors has hired Angelica Henry as its new museum manager. The former executive director, Lynell Seabold, has retired to Edenton, but will remain working with the museum part-time as a bookkeeper and grant administrator.

Henry is a Florida native with a passion for preserving memories. She holds a Bachelor’s in Art History and Arts Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and pursued a Masters in Library Science with a concentration in Archives and Special Collections from her alma mater.

Weekly, she volunteers as a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Beside her love for the museum realm. She is an avid reader, writer and house plant hobbyist. She attributes her love for Golden Age Hollywood to her mother, Claudia, who raised her on Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

“I know fans of Ava to be tried and true,” she said. “I cannot wait to meet everyone, and to hear the many stories and personal connections to this luminary of a woman. I’ve got big shoes to fill following Lynell’s seven years of leadership, and I am humbly up for the challenge.”

She will be training for the next few months under the direction of Seabold, learning all about Ava’s life, career, family and her connections to Hollywood’s elite. There is much to learn to represent the museum locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to attract visitors to the museum and online via social media and digital exhibits.

“Please join me in welcoming Angelica to the AGM Team,” Seabold said. “Angelica and I will be working closely with the board of directors to continue our positive momentum and to protect and preserve Ava’s lasting legacy. Angelica brings enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the Museum and we are excited to begin this new collaboration. We hope you will visit us in 2024, and get to know the real Ava Gardner who continues to inspire us all.”

For more than 30 years, the Ava Gardner Museum has welcomed visitors from around the world, inviting them to learn more about the iconic movie actress who was born in Johnston County. Each October, the museum hosts new exhibits and special events at the Ava Gardner Festival, scheduled this year on October 4-6.

“The contributions of Lynell Seabold to the Museum’s mission and vision have been immeasurable over the past seven years, and certainly too many to name,” said Donna Bailey-Taylor, Chairperson, Ava Gardner Museum Board. “Suffice it to say, above all we have accomplished together, Lynell is and will always be part of the Ava Gardner Museum family. It takes a tremendous commitment from a dedicated board of directors, our museum director and (staff) to maintain the museum, curate exhibits and bring innovative events to the public and loyal fans of Ava. We wish Lynell the very best in her semiretirement.”