Andy Griffith attended elementary school here and performed on stage here during the 1930s and 1940s. The playhouse was originally built in the 1920s and was the first public school in Mount Airy.
The Surry Arts Council now operates the building with year-round classes, theatre productions, art camps, and live music concerts. The museum is adjacent to the playhouse along with the TV Land landmark statue of Andy and Opie.
