Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary

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Sitting on a counter, under the original glass countertops sits a letter signed by a patron long since past. That signature is of the first First Lady of the United States, Marth Washington addressed to Mr. Stabler. Written just a month before her death in 1802, this was the normal and acceptable form of communication with a pharmacist.

This letter along with all the original artifacts are preserved for patrons of the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary in Alexandria, Virginia. Just around the corner from King Street, this artifact of history still sits in the original building in which the apothecary was born.

While some believe the request that Martha had for Mr. Stabler might have killed her, there is no evidence to confirm the allegations. At the time, Mr. Stabler could not imagine how he would soon be providing remedies, medical treatments and more to important historical individuals within the United States.

For just $5 per person, you are taken on a 30-minute tour of this fascinating part of history where you can see medications and tonics left where they once waited for the next patron mixed among them with original bottles of items that we use still to this day. As you walk through the pharmacy you will see jars filled with powders and cures that once promised a cure for things from headaches and stomachaches to smallpox along with necessities that you once had to choose from a catalog.

You will begin to understand that Mr. Stabler’s vision was more than that of a local pharmacy, but a business for the people. What you might find interesting is that Mr. Stabler did not have a degree or any training in pharmacology at the time of opening Stabler Apothecary. In fact, Mr. Stabler was no more than a businessman who took a chance and rented the building on South Fairfax Avenue in Alexandria Virginia.

In today’s world we can get our prescriptions and over the counter medications in multiple ways, from grocery store pharmacy counters, dedicated pharmacy stores to mail order and online purchasing we have options that our ancestors could not imagine. We have come a long way with these options from the days of letter writing requesting medical assistance.

While the tour is short, the artifacts and stories that line the walls of the Apothocary are well worth the investment into learning and understanding where one of America’s political hot button topics once started. Mr. Stabler believed in the rights of the human, known for purchasing slaves to set them free, he included visual signs for those who could not read and accepted trust in transactions when individuals could not pay at first. His humanitarian efforts may not be seen much today, but you can experience them in the walls of what is left of the apothecary.

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The Portly Passengers provides plus size inclusive travel tips and advice for anyone who is looking to explore the world. From seat sizes on airplanes to exploring museums, restaurants, and nature Melissa & Peter have the experience and stories to help guide you through it.