Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
4.5
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The Apothecary served local customers, including the Washingtons and Robert E. Lee, between 1792 and 1933. The shop was transformed into a museum shortly after its closing and visitors can still view the original ingredients, products, and documents left behind by this 141-year-old family business.
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Address
Neighbourhood: Old Town
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4.5
301 reviews
Excellent
204
Very good
70
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
1
boberto000
Kauai, HI25 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
This apothecary is a window into history, preserved in many ways as it was originally. Fascinating to look around, even if it is limited.
The biggest drawback by far was the staff attempting to aggressively sell tickets to the tour. The entry/gift shop is a small room, and 3 staff members asked every single person if they wanted to buy the guided tour or the self-guided downstairs tour. We tried to look over the rope to see what the downstairs looked like (determining which tour) and someone immediately jumped in the way to ask us to buy the downstairs tour if we wanted to look at it.
Overall experience was uncomfortable - even when we were planning to pay to look around. Perhaps they’re hurting for money to stay open?
$10 guided tour, $5 self-guided tour (employee said most people stay about 5 minutes)
The biggest drawback by far was the staff attempting to aggressively sell tickets to the tour. The entry/gift shop is a small room, and 3 staff members asked every single person if they wanted to buy the guided tour or the self-guided downstairs tour. We tried to look over the rope to see what the downstairs looked like (determining which tour) and someone immediately jumped in the way to ask us to buy the downstairs tour if we wanted to look at it.
Overall experience was uncomfortable - even when we were planning to pay to look around. Perhaps they’re hurting for money to stay open?
$10 guided tour, $5 self-guided tour (employee said most people stay about 5 minutes)
Written 16 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Siobhan L
Belton, TX974 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The history of this pharmacy is very interesting. It was in operation from 1792 to 1933 when a large decline in sales from the Great Depression forced it's closure. The unique aspect is that everything inside was left intact and the doors opened as a museum in 1839. The contents are fun to look at, but at $8 a person entry fee it's a bit steep. They offer guided tours daily but if they are sold out you can pay and go in for a brief 5-10 minute look at the first floor in between tours. The entire history as well as a virtual tour are available online so if you have a large family I wouldn't pay for this. It is on the Alexandria Key to the City pass (highly recommend purchasing) but this gets you the free 5 minute option which we found was ample.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon F
20 contributions
Mar 2023
The Apothecary Museum, located in Old Town, Alexandria, Virginia, is a gem of a place filled with old bottles, old casks, old containers with original printing, that were used to store seeds, chemicals, roots, powders, potions….all sort of materials used in the field of pharmacy during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th century. That in and of itself was enough for me to search it out…but the staff, and our Docent, made it all come alive as she discussed how people’s illnesses were viewed, reviewed and treated. What a window into the past! It is a very old building, the floors and counters are originals as are what lines every wall from top to close to the bottom. Take the tour…..it is worth the extra $3, for sure!
Written 30 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonja H
Oklahoma City, OK10 contributions
Oct 2022
The museum is small, but the staff is so knowledgeable about everything you'll want to know about old world medicine. We all learned some interesting and fun facts. Kids will love to take some of this knowledge back to school to surprise their teachers!
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swearengen
Colonia, NJ839 contributions
May 2022
We were too late for the full tour, so did the 1st floor self-tour. One of the girls that worked there actually hung with us and gave us a bunch of info, which was very nice of her, and made it more interesting. But there's enough info on the cards placed around room to give make the $5 entry worth it anyway.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Posttime
United States247 contributions
Jun 2022
On Sat. morning June 18th, 10:00am, we did the Harry Potter Tour and had Hufflepuff Kristy as out tour guide, OMG! she could have not made this tour any better. The tour was amazing, the four adults were just as intrigued and fascinated throughout the tour as our little 9 yr. old Harry Potter fan. Many thanks to Lauren who helped me set this up, Liz who confirmed it for me, and of course special thanks to Kristy. Can't wait to come back and try the other tours, programs, etc, that are offered as well.
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
battchiefswife
9 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
My husband and I took a guided tour of the Apothecary Museum and were amazed at the many original items on display. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained everything in detail. I would highly recommend adding this attraction to your itinerary.
Written 16 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy Trails, Mary
Indianapolis, IN278 contributions
Oct 2021
I arrived and about all tours were sold out. Only the late afternoon were available for one person only. One of the ladies let me look around for $5.00. It's interesting and I wished I could've stayed for a tour. AAA members get discounts.
Written 16 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol P
Denville, NJ16 contributions
Aug 2022
Our tour guide provided very interesting information about the history of the apothecary and was very knowledgeable. The shelves are full of the original glass containers containing the numerous ingredients used back in the day to create medicine, perfumes, and the many things that early pharmacists offered to the public. Other items sold in the apothecary and used to create the medicines, etc. were also on display and the venue had a lovely gift shop. Our guide pleasantly answered any questions anyone had. We didn't take the additional option to visit the second floor.
Written 27 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheCovertCritic
Apex, North Carolina412 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
I read the rave reviews before going. Especially interesting about the reviews were the comments about the tour guides and how informative they were. I know I did not get any of the guides mentioned. My guide was totally deadbeat, expressionless and humorless, seemingly automaton- like, and strangely removed apace from the scene emotionally. I am still trying to wrap my mind around that wierd situation. It is a small museum and I had a lot of questions, but after the first few attempts to engage with the guide I realized that there was a disconnect going on that I just could not put a name to. I think I know now after thinking about it though, and I won't risk a label that could be insulting or disturbing so will only add that the place is small and interesting and the tour is short.
Written 7 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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