Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop facts for kids
|
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop
|
|
.jpg) |
|
 Location in Alexandria Historical District
|
|
| Location | 105–107 S. Fairfax, Alexandria, Virginia |
|---|---|
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1775 |
| NRHP reference No. | 82001796, 100006254 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | November 24, 1982 |
| Designated NHL | January 13, 2021 |
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop/Museum is a special historic place in Alexandria, Virginia. It used to be a pharmacy, a shop where people bought medicines and other health items. Today, it's a museum that looks almost exactly like it did when it closed.
This shop was run by a Quaker family for many years. But during the Great Depression, sales dropped a lot. This forced the shop to close in 1933. Luckily, it reopened as a museum in 1939. Most of the items you see inside are real and from the time it closed. This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It became a National Historic Landmark in 2021.
Contents
A Shop Through Time
The story of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop began with Edward Stabler. He learned the apothecary business from his brother. In 1792, Edward, a Quaker and smart businessman, opened his own shop in Alexandria. He first rented a space and then, in 1796, moved to 107 S. Fairfax Street.
Nine years later, he bought the building. His business grew, and by 1829, he bought the building next door at 105 S. Fairfax. He made both buildings part of his busy shop.
What They Sold
Edward Stabler sold many different things to people from all walks of life. His customers included famous people like Martha Washington and Robert E. Lee. He also served local doctors and farmers.
The shop sold medicines, often made right there from plants and herbs. They also had farm tools, surgical tools, and dental equipment. You could buy soap, perfume, cigars, window glass, and even art supplies.
Family Business
By 1806, Edward Stabler traveled often for Quaker church meetings. His oldest son, William, took over running the shop. When Edward passed away in 1831, William inherited the business.
William kept it a family business. He brought in his brothers and his brother-in-law, John Leadbeater. John was a trained apothecary and dentist. After William died in 1852, John bought the business from William's wife. He changed the name to John Leadbeater.
During the Civil War
When the Civil War started, Union soldiers quickly took over Alexandria. The shop's daily records show this. After the First Battle of Manassas, many Union soldiers came to Alexandria. The apothecary's books show that soldiers lined up to buy "Hot Drops." These were cough drops that contained paprika. They sold for only a cent each! The shop sold over $1,000 worth of Hot Drops in just one day.
In 1865, John's son, Edward, took over the shop. The business grew even more. It supplied nearly 500 pharmacies around the Washington D.C. area. At its busiest, the Leadbeaters had 12 salespeople. They traveled through Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. They promoted their wholesale and mail-order business. The company used 11 buildings in Alexandria. This included the two main shops, offices, and warehouses.
The Shop Closes
By the early 1900s, things started to change. New, larger pharmacies and companies making synthetic drugs appeared. The economy also slowed down. These challenges made it hard for the family business. In 1933, the Leadbeater Drug Co. declared bankruptcy. This happened just days before the owner, Edward S. Leadbeater, Jr., passed away.
Saving History
People in Alexandria wanted to save this important piece of history. They worked with the American Pharmaceutical Association. They made a plan to buy the shop's collection and records. A man named L. Manuel Hendler bought most of the items at an auction in 1933. He loved the history of pharmacies.
The next year, a new group called the Landmarks Society of Alexandria bought the buildings. Mr. Hendler then gave all the shop's contents to the Landmarks Society.
The buildings were carefully restored to look like they did in the 1700s. The museum officially opened in 1939. It was free to visit, thanks to help from the American Pharmaceutical Association. In 2006, after more renovations, the Landmarks Society gave the museum to the City of Alexandria.
Edward Stabler's Legacy
Edward Stabler started the shop in 1792. He moved it to 107 S. Fairfax in 1796. Edward's son, William Stabler, began managing the shop in 1819. Edward was known for being against slavery. He often used his own money to buy enslaved people and set them free.
William Stabler's Time
William Stabler took over the business when his father, Edward, died in 1831.
John Leadbeater's Era
John Leadbeater, who was William Stabler's brother-in-law, took over the business in 1852. There's a story that Robert E. Lee was in the store when he got orders to stop John Brown's raid in 1859. This story is probably not true. However, the shop owner allowed a special plaque to be put up in 1932 to remember it.
E.S. Leadbeater's Leadership
John's son, Edward, took over the shop when John died in 1860. His family supported the Union during the Civil War. After the First Battle of Bull Run, tired Union soldiers came to the store for supplies.
In the early 1900s, the shop was doing very well. They delivered products to many states. They also had a very profitable wholesale business.
Visiting the Museum Today
The museum shows thousands of old items. They are still on the shelves exactly where they were when the store closed. The shop also has beautiful old furniture from before the Civil War. These are in the Gothic Revival style.
After a big restoration in 2006, visitors can now tour the second floor. This floor has a former warehouse room used for events. It also has a manufacturing room. This is where medicines were made for the shop and for other businesses. Like the main floor, this room looks almost exactly as it did in 1933.
The museum offers tours every day for individuals and families. Group tours can be booked by appointment. Tours are not free, as there are costs to keep the museum running. The museum's hours change depending on the season. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the winter. The museum also hosts fun community programs. These include a Girl Scout workshop, talks about old medicines, and themed birthday parties.
Famous Visitors
Many important people visited the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop:
- Elisha C. Dick: He was George Washington's doctor. He visited during Washington's final illness.
- Martha Washington (in 1802)
- James Monroe
- Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis
- Robert E. Lee: He bought paint for his home, the Arlington House.
