The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum in Alexandria will host a specialty tour titled “Women in Medicine” on March 8 and March 22. The event aims to highlight the contributions of women to the field of medicine from the late 18th through early 20th centuries, focusing on artifacts used by women during this period.
The tour is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon, with participants asked to arrive between 10:45 and 11:00 a.m., as the museum opens to the public at 1 p.m. and doors will be locked once the tour begins. The experience includes navigating stairs within the historic building.
Tickets are available for purchase at alexandriava.gov/Shop, priced at $15 per person or $12 for Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA) Members. Advance purchase is recommended. Proceeds will support Historic Alexandria’s museums.
“For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4554, Virginia Relay 711.”
“If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you, please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960.”
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum houses an extensive collection of medicinal herbs, shop furnishings, apothecary bottles and equipment, most of which are original to its operation as a family business for over a century. The museum also holds archival materials such as journals, letters, diaries, prescription books and invoices that document changes in medicine and local business practices over time.
Located at 105-107 South Fairfax Street in Old Town Alexandria, the museum is owned and operated by the City of Alexandria as part of the Office of Historic Alexandria.
The Office of Historic Alexandria manages eight museums and historic sites throughout the city, offering tours, exhibits and public programs designed to preserve and share local history. According to its mission statement: “Through powerful storytelling and confronting the City’s past, Historic Alexandria enriches the present and inspires the future. We enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors and serves as a partner in the City’s equity and inclusion initiatives.” More information can be found at alexandriava.gov/Historic.
Alexandria’s museums play a role in enhancing community identity by interpreting social and cultural history (official website). Among these sites is the Alexandria Black History Museum, which documents African American heritage (official website). The city incorporates racial and social equity into its policies to foster fair outcomes for all community members (official website). Operating under a council-manager form of government (official website), Alexandria provides services within its defined boundaries as an independent city (official website). Additionally, archaeological research is supported through partnerships with agencies and residents (official website).
