Williams' Family Tradition continues

The exhibit, which was originally scheduled to close on Dec. 31, 2009, has been held over by popular demand through Dec. 31, 2011.

The museum also debuted "Family Tradition Encore," an exclusive online version of the exhibition that features video, photographs, awards, documents and other content not on display in the museum's galleries. "Family Tradition Encore" can be viewed at http://countrymusichalloffame.org/family-tradition-encore/.

"Family Tradition has been the most popular and critically acclaimed exhibition in this museum's history," said Museum Director Kyle Young, "because of the participation of the members of the Williams family, each of whom has generously loaned us heirlooms and artifacts, and helped us to tell the truest and most complete story about their family to date.

"Since our exhibit opened in March 2008, the Williams family has continued to make country music history. And they have continued to make available to us the artifacts and evidence of that history, most notably the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation awarded to Williams earlier this year.

"We are also grateful to Troy Tomlinson and Sony/ATV Music Publishing," Young continued, "which made available to us Hank Williams' recently discovered notebooks and other Williams items. We are pleased to add these and many other new items to the exhibit for our visitors to enjoy."

Hank Williams Jr., Hank Williams III, Hilary Williams, Holly Williams, Jett Williams and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC have all contributed new artifacts to Family Tradition.

Highlights include:

Two handwritten notebooks filled with Hank Williams' writings, including lyrics to many never-recorded songs and notes he made while researching Cajun cuisine for his hit Jambalaya < P>Williams' original, handwritten lyrics to his unpublished song I Thank My God for You, written on stationery from New York's King Edward Hotel, where Williams stayed during his 1951 appearance on the Perry Como Show

Pulitzer Prize Special Citation awarded to Hank Williams on May 24, 2010, at Columbia University.

Martin D-18 guitar belonging to Hank Williams Jr. The instrument, which Hank Jr. describes as his "therapy guitar," was played by Williams in 1975 while he underwent physical therapy after his life-threatening fall down Ajax Mountain.

One-of-a-kind electric guitar and strap, given to Hank Williams Jr. by a fan. The strap and guitar are crafted of alligator hide, and the pick guard and fretboard inlays are carved from bone.

Hank Williams III stage costume. The costume, designed to look like armor, was made for Williams by a fan.

Unedited, first-draft manuscript pages from "Sign of Life: The Hilary Williams Story," an autobiography written by Williams with M.B. Roberts and published this month by Da Capo Press

Promotional materials and reviews related to Holly Williams' new album, "Here with Me."