Three Notch Museum

Three Notch Museum The Three Notch Museum is a project of the Covington Historical Society. It is a local history museu The Andalusia Jr. Various civic clubs contributed.

It is a local history museum dealing in objects relating to Covington County, Andalusia and the other communities in the County. It is located in the old Central Of Georgia Railway Depot building in downtown Andalusia. This building was completed shortly after 1900 and is the only wooden commercial building still in use in the downtown area. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Place

s about 1985. The building was in a bad state of repair when leased from Power South and the Society spent time and money renovating it. Women's Club assisted in cleanup of the old building. Solon and Martha Dixon paid for the floors to be refinished. They also purchased and donated the agent's roll top desk and chair. There was an antique auction that helped raise money for the big restoration project. Annie Laura Donaldson sewed curtains. Laura Oswald donated mini-blinds for all the windows. Alan Cotton and Roger Powell were also in the restoration team. Andy Floyd prepared and donated the paint for the building exterior. Some of the displays feature items of interest from Andala and Alatex, The Horse Shoe Lumber Company, Items from the various Wars, hundreds of early photographs, a bottle collection and hundreds of other relics of the past. Outside the main Museum we have a large Norfolk Southern Caboose, a small motor car from CSX, another smaller L & N bay window type caboose. The large black box car was donated by CSX and contains a large model railway HO layout. This layout was donated by the Mark Gibson family and it is known as the Mark Gibson Model Railway. Also Linda Castleberry who is a member of the Society gave a Tommy the Tank layout for little children. It is very elaborate and the smaller children have staged birthday parties beside the layout. Both of these exhibits are very popular. Note: The Mark Gibson layout is under renovation at the present time but should be ready for viewing soon. The completely restored River Falls Post Office is worth your visit. The original mail boxes are still in place and the back room is an early school room. Linda Castleberry sewed curtains and valances for the Post Office building. Sue Bass Wilson is responsible for the schoolroom decor accentuated with many historic photographs. Also the Clark Family Log Cabin is on display. It is a perfect example of a pioneer log cabin and we are very appreciative of the Clark family's gift to the Museum. There is a typical log crib from the Ard Family near the log cabin that is representative of the many cribs that existed on farms in the past. Another interesting building is the Henry B. Little Country Store. It is a good example of the many small mom and pop type stores in many communities across our county.

05/28/2026

The Covington Historical Society will meet Thursday, May 28, 6:00 p.m.at the Charles Dixon Memorial room of the Andalusia Public Library. The program will be “The Story of Andalusia Home Builder Coy Beesley.” His oldest Son Dewayne Beesley, attorney in Monroeville, has invited some of the guys who helped Beesley in the construction of the homes in the 1960s,, 1970s, and 1980s to attend. The public is invited.

05/27/2026

Covington Historical Society will meet on Thursday, May 28, 6:00 p.m. in the Charles Dixon Memorial Room of the Andalusia Public Library.

The program is the "Story of Andalusia Home Builder, Coy Beesley"; oldest son Dewayne Beesley attending.

04/25/2026

The April meeting of the Covington Historical Society will be Thursday, April 30, at 4:00 p.m. in the main library of the Andalusia Public Library.

Mollie Waters, teacher in the LBWCC Greenville campus, will be having a book signing and presentation of "Historic Resting Places of Alabama." In her book, she includes some information about Magnolia Cemetery in Andalusia.

Librarian Sara Mixon wanted the society to be a part of Mollie's program. So instead of the usual 6:00 meeting time, we will meet at 4:00 in the library, not the Dixon Room but in the main library.

The Covington Veterans Foundation has a 6:00 dinner planned that day that includes some of our CHS membership so this change in meeting times to 4:00 due to this conflict is to accommodate the CVF event. We hope you can mark your calendar and adjust the time set for a 4:00 meeting. Thank you so much. We look forward to seeing you there at 4:00 on Thursday, April 30.

Do bring along a friend or prospective member. Thank you all for remitting your 2026 dues at the last meeting. ($25. single membership; $40.family membership). CHS, P. O. Box 1582, Andalusia, AL 36420. If you have a change in email address, please forward the same to us.

This year of patriotic enthusiasm commemorating and celebrating the Semiquincentennial or 250th year of America's founding (1776-2026) is significant. The historical society certainly wants to be a part of being a part of supporting patriotic events that will be held throughout 2026 in Andalusia and Covington County. Make plans to visit the Three Notch Museum as we continue to preserve Covington County's history through our organization's project.

The society also celebrates our 50th anniversary as an organization (1976-2026). We need new members to continue with our goals of preserving local history. "Make new friends (members) but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." This was a little song that was sung at East Three Notch School at Friday afternoon singings by students in 1st through 6th grades - for 60 years! t was a round. Do any of you remember that?

02/24/2026

The February meeting of the CHS will be Thursday, February 26, 6:00 p.m. at the Charles Dixon Room of the Andalusia Public Library.

We will celebrate the 50th birthday of the founding of the Covington Historical Society in 1976, the Bicentennial year.

Please join us as we talk about the 250th year of our country's founding and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This is 2026, the year of the Semiquincentennial.

We will reflect on the last 50 years and make plans to move forward to preserving the history of Covington County in the future.

Remember, it is time to pay your annual dues - $25. per person; $40 for family.

Please attend and bring a prospective member. Don't miss your piece of birthday cake and ice cream.
The public is invited.
Sue B. Wilson

02/17/2026

Join us February 28 from 9:00am - 3:00pm for Family Day at the Archives! Explore your family's story with a fun, hands-on afternoon! See the new Children’s Gallery and other new spaces in the Museum of Alabama, enjoy crafts and activities, and talk with archivists and curators about caring for heirlooms and researching your family history!

Family Day at the Archives

11/18/2025

The November meeting of the CHS will be staged as a covered dish supper on Thursday evening, November 20, 6:00 p.m., to be held at the Charles Dixon room of the Andalusia Public Library.

The society as always will furnish the meat and drinks. Debbie Butts of the Red Level Bank will present a program on the Foshee family and the Red Level Bank.The public is invited to attend. This is our last meeting of 2025

I look forward to seeing you on Thursday. Bring a friend or a prospective member and do bring ideas for future programs to help preserve the history of Covington County, Alabama.

If you know of any email addresses that need to be added to our contact list, please forward them to me.

Sue Wilson, Vice President and Historian of the Covington Historical Society

The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance can be viewed in Andalusia through Friday around 1:00. Come  on this beauti...
11/13/2025

The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance can be viewed in Andalusia through Friday around 1:00. Come on this beautiful Fall Thursday afternoon. A special tour is available today with tour guide. Located behind City Hall in the Veterans Park. Bring a young person, a son or daughter, or yourself. An amazing and patriotic opportunity right here in Andalusia.

09/20/2025

The September meeting of the Covington Historical Society will be held on Thursday evening, September 25, 6:00 p.m. at the Charles Dixon Room of the Andalusia Public Library.

The meeting program will be "SHARE and TELL" where members bring something of historical significance to share with those in attendance. This meeting theme always proves to be interesting and worthwhile as we attempt to preserve the history of Andalusia and Covington County. I have two artifacts that have been donated recently to the Three Notch Museum that I think you will enjoy.

Our refreshments will be provided by Barbara and Glen Powell.They love to bring the September goodies because it is always boiled peanuts and homemade ice cream so don't miss this. You may forward this email message to prospective members and guest

The public is invited to attend. Bring a friend and guest.
Sue B. Wilson, Vice President

07/24/2025

The next meeting of the historical society will be Thursday, July 31, 6:00 p.m. at the Charles Dixon Room of the Andalusia Public Library.

A program will be presented about the "Indian Ditch" in Gulf Shores discovered by an Andalusia native, Harry King. Archaeologists have confirmed that this almost one-mile feature was a canal used for canoe travel by Native Americans about 1,400 years ago likely between 576 and 650 A. D.

King grew up on Gantt Lake where as a child he hunted for arrowheads and other Indian artifacts. A retired real estate developer, Harry has always been an outdoorsman and hunter. He was living in Gulf Shores where he became an archeology hobbyist. His discovery of the travel canal was in 2017 at which time he urged researchers to investigate it further.

This discovery has been written about in numerous archaeology journals and publications including the Smithsonian Magazine. King has received much recognition for this project. This program will give more details as local historians and friends of the King family hope to express pride in this hometown boy for all of his efforts in helping to preserve this important part of Alabama history.

Please read the news release which will appear in the Saturday, July 26 edition of The Andalusia Star News. A 1964 graduate of Andalusia High School, Harry is the youngest of four brothers. Some of you might remember that his parents owned and operated King's Cafeteria on the Court Square back in the 1960s. I look forward to seeing you at the July 31 meeting. Again, I ask if any of you can help with refreshments, I will appreciate hearing from you. Please forward this email to anyone that you think might enjoy attending. The public is welcome. Sue Wilson

06/21/2025

Covington Historical Society June Meeting
Thursday, June 26, 2025, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
416 South Three Notch Street ♦ Andalusia, AL

Please join us for a reception at the home of Dr. David Schjott and Dr. Heather Hartness to celebrate the official designation of their residence, the "Monk Riley House Covington County c. 1890," on the Alabama Register of Landmark and Heritage by the Alabama Historical Commission. This is the first home of
its kind in Covington County to receive this honor.

Address

Andalusia, AL
36420

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 2pm
Tuesday 9am - 2pm
Wednesday 8am - 2pm

Telephone

+13342220674

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