Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum

01/27/2023

Why does history matter? Help Historic Alexandria answer this question! We want to know how we can support and engage you in 2023 and beyond. We are participating in a national survey of museum-goers, sponsored by the American Alliance of Museums. Please take a few minutes + take this survey! Your thoughts + feedback will help us guide our future work.

2023 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers.

09/01/2022

Due to a private event, the Museum will be closed today Thursday, September 1.

05/21/2022

An exciting day today celebrating the Apothecary’s National Historic Landmark status! Remarks were made by Gretchen Bulova, Mayor Justin Wilson, and Superintendent of the GW Memorial Parkway Charles Cuvelier. It joins two other OHA NHLs - Gadsby’s Tavern Museum + the Freedom House Museum.

03/16/2022

Why does history matter? The past couple of years have been tumultuous for many of us, and we at Historic Alexandria want to know how we can better support + engage you in 2022 and beyond. To learn more about how we can do this, we are participating in a national survey of museum-goers, sponsored by the American Alliance of Museums. Please take a few minutes + take our survey! Your thoughts + feedback will help us guide our future work.

2022 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers.

01/16/2022

Notice for today’s operations. ❄️

01/12/2022

Thanks for helping us celebrate the history of pharmacy and pharmacists on National Pharmacist Day. We look forward to displaying our National Historic Landmark plaque in the coming year.

01/03/2022

The museum will be closed today, January 3rd, due to inclement weather. We will re-open for tours on Friday, January 7th. Enjoy the snow!

12/02/2021

Tonight's the night to venture out for some shopping in Old Town plus visit your favorite Apothecary!

Enjoy a historic night out in Old Town on December 2 for “Moonlight Merriment,” a festive end to Shop Small Week. Local stores, including Gadsby’s Tavern Museum + the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. for a special night of shopping + merriment. Stop in for unique gifts + a free visit to the museums. Don’t forget your camera at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum—the halls are decked for some great photo backdrops.

09/28/2021

An Edward Stabler book sighting in the wild! Stabler owned a small personal library of medical, religious, and philosophy reference books that he kept in his shop and used in his apothecary practice. He also served as the first secretary and librarian of the Library Company of Alexandria, founded in 1794. While this Montesquieu book is no longer in the Apothecary Museum’s collection, we’re glad it has a safe home.

Who did this book belong to?
We have quite a few antiquarian law books in our collection. One of the many pleasures of examining these volumes is admiring the beautiful book plates and ornate signatures of prior owners, which often include multiple signatures and gift inscriptions. One book in our collection is Volume Two of the Third Edition of Baron De Montesquieu's, "The Spirit of Laws," which was published in London in 1758. On the first page of Chapter 1, we can make out the name of Edward Stabler, who, after apprenticing in the apothecary business with his brother in Leesburg, moved to Alexandria in 1792 to establish his own apothecary business, which can now be seen at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Alexandria.

09/14/2021

Join us!

This could be you! The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is recruiting volunteers to lead guided tours. Training begins Sept. 25 with an in-person workshop, continues with virtual evening classes, + wraps-up with a second in-person workshop on Nov. 6. Participants will end the series ready to complete their tour certification. Volunteers with both weekend + weekday availability are needed, particularly Sun. + Mon. To learn more + apply, visit AlexandriaVa.gov/Apothecary.

07/08/2021

That's right! We are excited to announce we will be reopening on July 11! For additional information on museum hours and tour options, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/36940