Larry and Helen Andress traveled from Irving, Texas, to Andalusia this week with a very special delivery.

The couple, who grew up in Andalusia and whose parents all worked for Alatex at one time or another, donated an Alatex sewing machine to the Three Notch Museum.

“Mother had this machine at the Alatex,” Mrs. Andress said of her mother, Lurlene Mahaffee. Mrs. Mahaffee worked at Alatex for 42 years, and her daughter thinks she acquired the machine when Alatex closed.

“When Mother passed away, my daughter wanted the machine,” Mrs. Andress said. “Now, she has a new house and has down-sized.”

Mrs. Andress said her father, Golden Mahaffee, also worked for Alatex. Larry’s parents, Bill and Erma Andress, also worked there.

“Daddy was a mechanic for forty-something years,” he said. “Mother worked there off and on.”

“Our families just always felt so close to Alatex,” Mrs. Andress said. “When Angela couldn’t have (the machine) in her home any more, I told Larry, ‘Let’s take it to the museum.’ ”

“The museum” was thrilled, Sue Bass Wilson said. The Andresses contacted her about making the donation, and learned there was not a sewing machine from the Alatex era in the facility.

It’s not the first time Mrs. Andress has contributed a piece of history to the museum. Her mother’s refrigerator and a mixer are already in the kitchen exhibit.

“Mother had a great love for this place,” Mrs. Andress said of Andalusia. “We were very happy to donate her sewing machine to the museum.”