An ancient-looking sewing machine in the front lobby sets the scene for many area residents when they think about “the way we worked,” but a traveling Smithsonian exhibit by the same name that opens today at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce tells us more about how other Americans worked.

Andalusia is one of six Alabama cities that will host The Way We Worked exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution in 2013-14 as part of the Museum on Main Street project, in conjunction with the Alabama Humanities Foundation.

Here’s the calendar.

AHF sponsors a Smithsonian Museums on Main Street in Alabama every other year, he said. The exhibits generally draw 5,000 to 6,000 viewers.

The national exhibit is customized, in that there are already photographic archives of Alatex at the Chamber, which is housed in the former corporate headquarters of Alatex.

As well, students across the county have created displays of local histories, including timelines of major employers in Andalusia, Opp, Straughn, Florala and Red Level.

The exhibit was further customized with the addition of farming and logging implements in a separate, outdoor display.

Other events planned today to mark the opening of the exhibit include a car show, a display at the LAAC, and a demonstration at the Humane Society (see calendar, below)

The entire exhibit will be on display here through Feb. 9 of 2014.

The Chamber is located in the Alatex Memorial Park at 700 River Falls St. in Andalusia.