In August of 1989 he suffered a stroke at the museum and died a few days later. Ava died six months later in January of 1990. Lorraine Banks donated the collection to the Town of Smithfield in the summer of 1990. In January of 1991, Lorraine Banks died unexpectedly in Florida. The museum receives donations from visitors and is supported by annual memberships of AVA Advocates.
Donations are tax deductible.