Rich Douglas’ father, John K. Douglas, bought this truck for his original Singer Co. franchise. This photo is from the late 1930s.

The Los Altos History Museum presents another of its gallery talks 7:30 p.m. April 27. This spring’s talk, “A Thread of History,” is presented by longtime Palo Altan Rich Douglas of Douglas’ Sewing Machines and Fabrics.

In conjunction with the museum’s current exhibit featuring the history of sewing machines, Douglas will discuss his multi-generational family business, their sewing machines and fabrics.

His father’s experiences selling sewing machines in the early 1920s parallel those of the original machine salesmen of the 19th century - demonstrations in remote locations, monthly payment rounds, and farm hospitality that included sampling of local products.

Started by his parents in 1926, the Palo Alto business was simply named The Sewing Machine Store. A separate store, The Fabric Shop, started by his mother after World War II in a building thought to have been a house of ill repute, merged with the original business to become a prototype of what we know today - fabric, notions and sewing machines under one roof.

The museum store and museum will open early, at 7 p.m., for this special evening. All are welcome to attend this free event.

The mission of the Los Altos History Museum is “dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and communicating the history of Los Altos and the surrounding areas.”

The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m. and is located at 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos. Admission is free.