‘Mayberry’ mobbed by tourists
Mount Airy, N.C. sees increase in tourism after actor’s death
Andy Griffith, known by millions of TV viewers as Sherriff Andy Taylor of the quintessential American town Mayberry, died at the age of 86 of a heart attack on July 6, CNN reported.
Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina is the home to the Andy Griffith Museum, a treasure trove of memorabilia from Griffith’s career as well as from the The Andy Griffith Show, the sitcom that ran from 1960-1968. The show put Mayberry on the fictional but well loved map of TV towns travelers long to visit.
Museum staffers told TravelMole they were seeing a spike in visitors since Griffith’s death. The museum collection includes props from The Andy Griffith Show as well as from Griffith’s later series, Matlock, along with items donated by other cast members. The museum is open seven days a week all year, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"We have seen a big increase this week," Jessica Roberts, tourism director with the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce told the Mount Airy News: "I have noticed a significant increase of visitors both old and new mentioning his passing."
Visitor Information Specialist Esther Johnson told the newspaper: "There have been a lot more (tourists) recently who want to know where he lived. It could be partly due to lower gas prices but people are on the move. They want to know all about the show and if he (Griffith) has any family in town.
Mount Airy’s website includes details of the town’s annual ‘Mayberry Days’ festival and promises to hold a special tribute to Griffith in honor of his passing this year. In the words of the Andy Griffith theme song, ‘Y’all come back now, hear?’
by Gretchen Kelly with additional reporting by the Mount Airy News.
Gretchen Kelly
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