Apothecary, Williamsburg

The apothecary is an interesting building showcasing ancient medicines and treatments; it also reveals how gruesome and unsanitary they were. There are no guided tours, so you can just walk in and explore anytime before 5.

2 more images

Do you suffer from fever? Broken bones? Headaches? Visit the apothecary of Drs. Pasteur and Galt to receive 18th-century treatment for your ailments. Makes me glad we have doctors and hospitals around.

The costumed woman, on my picture, welcomes visitors to Pasteur & Galt Apothecary. The reconstructed shop stands today exactly at the place where the original did. It is stocked and furnished similarily as it was at the end of 18th century. There are hundreds smaller and larger jars and bottles with secret liquids, tinctures, spirits and syrups which were the most common form of medicine that time.

HOURS
Sat - Thu: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
Fri: closed.
Warning: it may change... every week, check in This Week brochure.

THEN AND NOW
Pasteur and Galt were doctors who studied at St. Thomas's Hospital in London and partners in a shop on this site from 1775 - 1778. Currently doctors are not allowed to run or own apothecary at least in my country, Poland.

Nowadays doctors are either general practitioners (family doctors) or specialize in one (often narrow) field of medicine. Pasteur and Galt dispensed medicines, provided surgical, midwifery, dental and general medical services and they did it in... apothecary. On top of that, they supplemented their income by selling such articles as... tobacco, gold and silver leaf, vermicelli and others. Hmm... doctors selling tobacco?