Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
4.5
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Apothecary served local customers, including the Washingtons and Robert E. Lee, between 1792 and 1933. The shop was transformed into a museum shortly after its closing and visitors can still view the original ingredients, products, and documents left behind by this 141-year-old family business.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
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See what travellers are saying
- Sharon F12 contributionsA wonderful, small gem of history in a place filled with historyThe Apothecary Museum, located in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, is a gem of a place filled with old bottles, old casks, old containers with original printing, that were used to store seeds, chemicals, roots, powders, potions….all sort of materials used in the field of pharmacy during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century. That in and of itself was enough for me to search it out…but the staff, and our Docent, made it all come alive as she discussed how people’s illnesses were viewed, reviewed and treated. What a window into the past! It is a very old building, the floors and counters are originals as are what lines every wall from top to close to the bottom. Take the tour…..it is worth the extra $3, for sure!Visited March 2023Written 30 March 2023
- anj32694Charlottesville, Virginia7 contributionsFun stop for anyone Interested in healthcare and medicines of the pastLoved this!! My husband and I visited on a Saturday morning. Guided tours are available in the afternoons, but for $5 per person you could do a self guided tour. Don’t be dismayed by the fact that the self guided tour is in one large room because there is enough cool stuff to see! Wooden drawers for dry ingredients, rows of canisters and bottles. One counter delineates how the prohibition affected apothecaries, as most liquid medicines were mixed in some type of alcohol. There were many treatments that were believed to be scientific at the time, such as blood letting and mercury based medicines. I found it to be fascinating, as someone who works in healthcare. There was an employee there to answer questions, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. We spent a good 30-40 minutes there. I bought a book about medicine and treatments throughout the ages called Quackery which is an amusing take on many different ways to die prior to modern medicine.Visited August 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 20 August 2023
- Denise VNewark, Delaware4 contributionsFun place to visit with artists and stroll along waterfront park.The torpedo factory and restaurants along the Potomac in Alexandria are worth the trip. Just go in early afternoon to get a place to park your car, later in the day, there are no spaces to be had. Also, the artist studios and art galleries close at 6 pm. I would not recommend eating outside however, the Jets taking off from Reagan Airport fly overhead at low altitude as they ascend, making for a very noisy lunch or dinner on the waterfront.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 16 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Popular mentions
4.5
299 reviews
Excellent
202
Very good
70
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Denise V
Newark, DE4 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
The torpedo factory and restaurants along the Potomac in Alexandria are worth the trip. Just go in early afternoon to get a place to park your car, later in the day, there are no spaces to be had. Also, the artist studios and art galleries close at 6 pm. I would not recommend eating outside however, the Jets taking off from Reagan Airport fly overhead at low altitude as they ascend, making for a very noisy lunch or dinner on the waterfront.
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siobhan L
Belton, TX852 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The history of this pharmacy is very interesting. It was in operation from 1792 to 1933 when a large decline in sales from the Great Depression forced it's closure. The unique aspect is that everything inside was left intact and the doors opened as a museum in 1839. The contents are fun to look at, but at $8 a person entry fee it's a bit steep. They offer guided tours daily but if they are sold out you can pay and go in for a brief 5-10 minute look at the first floor in between tours. The entire history as well as a virtual tour are available online so if you have a large family I wouldn't pay for this. It is on the Alexandria Key to the City pass (highly recommend purchasing) but this gets you the free 5 minute option which we found was ample.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anj32694
Charlottesville, VA7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Loved this!! My husband and I visited on a Saturday morning. Guided tours are available in the afternoons, but for $5 per person you could do a self guided tour. Don’t be dismayed by the fact that the self guided tour is in one large room because there is enough cool stuff to see!
Wooden drawers for dry ingredients, rows of canisters and bottles. One counter delineates how the prohibition affected apothecaries, as most liquid medicines were mixed in some type of alcohol. There were many treatments that were believed to be scientific at the time, such as blood letting and mercury based medicines. I found it to be fascinating, as someone who works in healthcare. There was an employee there to answer questions, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. We spent a good 30-40 minutes there. I bought a book about medicine and treatments throughout the ages called Quackery which is an amusing take on many different ways to die prior to modern medicine.
Wooden drawers for dry ingredients, rows of canisters and bottles. One counter delineates how the prohibition affected apothecaries, as most liquid medicines were mixed in some type of alcohol. There were many treatments that were believed to be scientific at the time, such as blood letting and mercury based medicines. I found it to be fascinating, as someone who works in healthcare. There was an employee there to answer questions, who was very knowledgeable and friendly. We spent a good 30-40 minutes there. I bought a book about medicine and treatments throughout the ages called Quackery which is an amusing take on many different ways to die prior to modern medicine.
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stardancer6691
Easton, PA23 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
I was a nurse before I retired, so the medical aspect drew me to this museum. It is a well-kept apothecary, with original signage, counters, medication jars, and so much more. The guide told us about the role of the apothecary in the 1800s and 1900s, and we saw original prescriptions and lists of ingredients. We loved the experience. The booklet given out tells so much about health care in ages past, and how the apothecary also compounded perfumes, insect and rat poisons, and paint. Great experience - it is part of the town’s Passport program.
Written 14 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MissLoraLane
Washington, PA300 contributions
Jun 2023
A must-see while in Alexandria! This 1st floor museum is a block away from the Alexandria Visitors Center. I must say, that the little map we got from the Visitor Center made it a bit challenging trying to find this little gem. It really blends into the row houses that line the streets. Once we found it though, what a surprise! You enter in the gift shop first and for a nominal fee, you then enter into the original apothecary from the 1700s. George Washington's doctors often got their supplies from this shop. There was a knowledgeable docent stationed in the shop to tell you about the history of the apothecary and there are original bottles with medicine still on display from the 1700s. Be careful not to lean on anything in the shop. The docent will tell you a love story about poison bottles of liquids and other interesting anecdotes. Will go back again while in the area as there is so much to learn!
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brendan
51 contributions
Jun 2023
The apothecary museum was such an incredible visit on our day trip through Alexandria. Viewing old bottles and learning about the various medicines utilized by prior generations of medical professionals was quite fun. I'm not one for museum gift stores, however, I adored the old medical book reprints they sold! I'll be coming back for sure.
Written 5 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GarryUK
Newbury, UK400 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
A real gem. It’s a tiny museum but a full of history. Staff are very knowledgeable. Lovely little shop with some real quirky gifts available. It is very small so you might have to book a visit.
Written 15 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon F
12 contributions
Mar 2023
The Apothecary Museum, located in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, is a gem of a place filled with old bottles, old casks, old containers with original printing, that were used to store seeds, chemicals, roots, powders, potions….all sort of materials used in the field of pharmacy during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century. That in and of itself was enough for me to search it out…but the staff, and our Docent, made it all come alive as she discussed how people’s illnesses were viewed, reviewed and treated. What a window into the past! It is a very old building, the floors and counters are originals as are what lines every wall from top to close to the bottom. Take the tour…..it is worth the extra $3, for sure!
Written 30 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
darmijo
San Antonio, TX27 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Out tour guide Jaine was very knowledgeable and and kept our tour of pharmacy/chemistry past very interesting and fun. Great family tour!
Written 16 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristi V
35 contributions
Nov 2022
Loved learning about his historical apothecary! An employee answered all our questions and shared info about their medicine practices.
Written 15 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
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