Apothecary Museum

Apothecary Bottles The museum's first room is the original retail shop. It houses hundreds of bottles filled with herbal, powdered and liquid remedies.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

The family business was first founded in 1792 by Edward Stabler.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

In addition to remedies, it is also home to poisons and other nefarious substances.

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WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Tincture of cannabis would have been used to treat chronic pain.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Many of the original medical instruments and counting tools are also housed in the museum.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

The original indexing cabinets are also in place.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

In 2006, the museum was donated to the City of Alexandria, which now operates the site.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

The third floor of the museum looks like a historic stock room complete with a desk and extra supplies.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

The museum also has a collection of archival materials, including journals, letters, diaries, prescription and formula books, ledgers, orders and invoices.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

Martha Washington is just one of the famous customers to frequent the apothecary. Robert E. Lee also visited the pharmacy.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano

With mythological names like Dragon's Blood, many of the medicines used in old apothecaries inspired popular fiction like Harry Potter, says museum site manager Lauren Gleason.

(WTOP/Alicia Lozano)

WTOP/Alicia Lozano