The Hank Williams Museum is located at 118 Commerce Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 which is where Hank Williams got his musical career started. Mr. Williams was 14 when he won a talent show at the Empire Theater in 1937 with an original song that he wrote. It reflected the times as it was titled WPA BLUES. The museum has a complete collection of Hank Williams memorabilia. The Official Hank Williams Museum is in downtown Montgomery where he lived from 1937 to 1953.
The museum has his 1952 Cadillac, clothing, albums and many more personal effects. Oakwood Cemetery is where Hank Williams and his wife Audrey are buried, and it is just five minutes from the museum. Visitors to the museum can see the life size statue of Hank Williams in Lister Hill park in downtown Montgomery. This is across from the City Auditorium where Mr. Williams's funeral was held.
Hank Williams's first professional debut was in Montgomery and so was his last performance. He was on his way to a concert in Canton, Ohio when his friend and driver were stopped for speeding. The police looked in the back seat and noticed the passenger looked dead. He was taken to a hospital in West Virginia where he was pronounced dead. This was on January 1, 1953.
The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The price to enter the museum is eight dollars for ages 12 and up and three dollars for ages 3-11. There are discounts for AAA members and members of the Military and group rates are available if requested.
There are more than 35 showcases that have Hank Williams personal belongings and artifacts. Thirteen of his hand made suits are on display at the museum. Some of these suits were made in Hollywood, Nashville and Montgomery. There are two life sized portraits that graced the home of Hank and Audrey. Boots, ties, hats, overcoats, horse saddle, 1947 Gibson guitar, piano, Rickenbacher Lap Steel, Microphone and hand set used by Hank in his very last performance, blue suede shoes, brief case, suit case, gun , shaving kit, 1939 Sidney Lanier High School Year Book, Sheet Music, Hank Jr's first cowboy boots and scout hats are all on display. There is a gift shop that is open the same hours as the museum.
Guests that wish to remain in Montgomery can find many hotels near the Hank Williams Museum. They include: Wingate by Wyndham, Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center, Homewood Suites, Holiday Inn Express, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace Suites, Econo Lodge, Americas Best Value Inn, Hampton Inn Suites, Sleep Inn & Suites, Days Inn Montgomery, Montgomery Marriott, Comfort Inn, Rodeway Inn, Knight's Inn, Country Inn and Madison Hotel. Restaurants in the Montgomery area are the India Palace, Derk's Filet & Vine, City Grill, Miyako Japanese Steak & Sushi, No Way Jose Grill Cantina, Ox Yoke Steak House Grill and Young Barn Pub.
