Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum Celebrates National Pharmacy Month

Apothecary and National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation Offering Free Open House, Saturdays at the Market, and Lunchtime Learning Series throughout October

In recognition of October’s designation as National Pharmacy Month, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is offering a free open house and other engaging public programs beginning this weekend. This year, thanks to support from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, the Apothecary will also be part of the Market Square Farmers’ Market and host the new Lunchtime Learning Series.

The annual open house is this Saturday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Apothecary Museum, 105-107 South Fairfax Street. Visitors may participate in curator talks and explore the Apothecary and its collection, including a letter from Martha Washington, original bottles and labels, and a medicine manufacturing room filled with original supplies. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, in cooperation with Howard University, will be providing free health and wellness screenings throughout the day!

Also each Saturday in October, join the Apothecary Museum, Alexandria’s historic pharmacy, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Farmers’ Market at Market Square, 301 King Street. Stop by the Apothecary booth and learn about historic medicine, cures, and manufacturing techniques through hands-on activities and highlights from our collection, and meet a modern pharmacist to discuss medical issues of today. Pharmacy students will be promoting the “Script Your Future” program, co-sponsored by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, with information and handouts to help you more effectively manage your medicine.

The new Lunchtime Learning Series, also supported by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation, will be held at the Apothecary Museum, from noon to 1 p.m., starting October 5. These workshops are free, so bring a brown bag lunch and learn while you lunch.

Wednesday, October 5: Teen Influencer Workshop
Presenter: Ray Bullman, Executive Vice President of the National Council on Patient Information and Education
This hands-on workshop equips those who come in contact with teens with credible information addressing the growing problem of prescription drug abuse by teens and provides effective strategies to take action to prevent it.         

Wednesday, October 19: Safe and Sound Presentation
Presenter: Suzanne Mintz with the National Family Caregivers Association
Caring for family members can be challenging, and all the more when managing their health care. This presentation will give practical tips for family caregivers to help their loved ones avoid medication errors and manage their prescriptions. 

Wednesday, November 2: Medication Adherence Presentation
Presenters: Edith Rosato, President, and Alex Adams, Director of Pharmacy Programs, with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans don’t take their medications as directed, resulting in serious health consequences. Understanding your condition and taking your medicine correctly are important steps toward a longer, healthier life. This presentation can help you understand ways to manage your medicines and will provide sample questions to help start a conversation with your doctor or pharmacist about your medicine.

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is noted for its outstanding collection of shop furnishings, apothecary bottles and equipment, and archival materials, many still in their original location. When the Apothecary closed during the Depression, in 1933, the doors were simply locked, preserving the contents for history. More than 8,000 objects, including pill rollers, mortars and pestles, drug mills, and hand-blown glass medicine bottles with gold-leaf labels, were left in place. Medicinal herbs and paper labels remain in their wooden drawers. Large show-globes from the mid-19th century remain in the windows. It also has a spectacular collection of archival materials, including journals, letters and diaries, prescription and formula books, ledgers, orders and invoices. The names of famous customers appear in the documents, including Martha Washington, Nelly Custis and Robert E. Lee.

For more information, please call 703.746.3852 or visit www.apothecarymuseum.org.