Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop
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| Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop | |
|---|---|
| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Location: | Alexandria, Virginia |
| Coordinates: | Coordinates: |
| Built/Founded: | 1792 |
| Added to NRHP: | 1982 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 82001796 |
| Governing body: | City of Alexandria |
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop/Museum is a historic apothecary's shop in Alexandria, Virginia that has been preserved as a museum. During its working life, the drug company was owned by generations of a Quaker family.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The shop has a long history with several phases.
[edit] Edward Stabler
Edward Stabler, apothecary, founded the shop in 1792 at 106 S. Fairfax Street. In 1796, he expanded into the adjoining property at 107 S. Fairfax. Edward's son, William Stabler, became active at the shop in 1819.[1]
[edit] William Stabler
William Stabler inherited the business upon the death of Edward in 1831. In 1845, he purchased a warehouse.[1]
[edit] John Leadbeater
John Leadbeater, William Stabler's brother-in-law, took over the business in 1852 upon the death of Stabler.[1] Robert E. Lee was in the store when he received the orders to put down John Brown's raid in 1859.[2]
[edit] E.S. Leadbeater
John's son Edward took over the shop when John died in 1860.[1] The Union-supporting family nearly lost the enterprise to the Confederates. Shortly after the First Battle of Bull Run, victorious but exhausted Union soldiers sought comfort from the store's merchandise.[3]
In the early 20th Century, the drug store's business was good. Deliveries were made to several states, and there was a lucrative wholesale business.[4]
[edit] Preservation
The tough times of the Great Depression put the Leadbeater Drug Co., now the oldest pharmacy in the United States out of business, but the Landmarks Society of Alexandria recognized the history of the establishment and purchased it. It reopened as a museum in 1932.[1] In 2004, the museum was closed for renovations, and when it was reopened in 2006, it was donated to the City of Alexandria.[5]
[edit] Current museum
The museum displays thousands of artifacts, precisely on the shelves were they were when the store closed. The store also still features antebellum gothic revival furnishing.[6]
[edit] Famous customers
- George Washington's doctor, during Washington's terminal illness[7]
- Martha Washington (1802)[6]
- James Monroe[6]
- Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis[6]
- Robert E. Lee (bought paint for the Arlington House)[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum Timeline. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
- ^ Maggie B. (2006-11-28). Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum Alexandria. Yelp, Inc.. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ Lancto, Craig. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary: A Portal to History. TravelLady. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ Alexandria Archaeology Museum - Excavations at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop (Step 1). Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ Cooper, Rachel. Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Alexandria, Virginia. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ a b c d Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum - Collections and Exhibit. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ a b Apothecary. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
