Evening star., 1939-05-21

A drugstore that operated nearly
$50 years ago and which contains
the finest collection of antique drug
store furnishings and medicinal bot
ties in America may now be seen
in historic Alexandria, Va, at LOT
South Fairfax street. It is the old
Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop
recently opened to the public as a
free museum by the Landmarks So
ciety of Alexandria and sponsored
by the American Pharmaceutical
Society
The business was founded in 1892
by young Edward Stabler on bor-
rowed capital of 100 pounds. He little
realized that his descendants would
continue in the business for the next
l4l years, thus making it the Sec
ond oldest drugstore in the United
States in continuous operation. CThe
Oldest is in Bethlehem, Pa, now
forming the back part of a modern
pharmacy
Washington a Customer.
George Washington rode in 8
miles from Mount Vernon to trade
with this famous drug firm. The
Lords Fairfax, the Lees, Custises
and other figures of Alexandria and
Northern Virginia were regular Gus
toners.
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, John
Calhoun and other notables of the
early days frequently came to Alex
andria, miles from Washington, D.
c., to dine with Mr.. Phineas Janney.
brother-in-law of Edward Stabler
also a prosperous merchant and
famous for his hospitality. After
the dinners these illustrious gentle
men often had to wait several hours
till they might take the ferry boat
back up the Potomac River to the
Capital. 1t was their custom to re-
pair to Friend Stabler's (he was a
Quaker) and discuss the burning is
sues of national and international
affairs and even the trivialities of
drugstore conversation.
With such remarkable past. 1t
was only natural that when the
economic depression forced the busi-
ness to the wall in 1888, a movement
should arise to buy in the old shop
and preserve it for the American
public as a memorial to its founder
and a reminder of early American
pharmacy and the celebrated pa
irons Of this old apothecary shop.
George A. Ball, Muncie Ind,) manu-
facturer and railroad magnate, gave
the first 81 900 to the fund and in
terested Alexandrians raised an
other 81 900 with which the restora-
ton started. Carried away with the
project, this group went several
thousand dollars into debt to buy
the building and restore it to its
original appearance It's continued
operation IS dependent upon volun-
tary contributions (there is no ad-
mission CHARGE and increased prof
its from gift shop operated under
the same management in the ad-
joining building.
How we'll the restoration has been
effected can be judged from the
beautiful shop-front with the origi-
nal glazed doors back in their place
after lying for decades in the attic
when the front was once modern.
lied" The doors are f1anked by
curious circular and paned windows
the shape of which was determined
by the old shutters put up ever,
night and taken down every morn.
ing, which were also found in the
building. The rounded window.
were designed so as to display te
advantage the apothecarys symbol.
OF great globes of colored water.
Once inside, it is interesting to note
how attractive in comparison te
some of our modern drug store.
was the shop of. the early days
Hundreds of beautiful hand blown
bottles with cleaning golden label.
stand upon rows of worn shelves
The interior has been repainted anc
slightly repaired, but otherwise is
exactly as it was when Gen. Lee usec
to visit the shop in the 1866. The
mahogany drawers of the 1790s are
still in place below the shelves. but
the delightful Gothic arcades ir
front of the shelves are about 4C
years later as are the counters. The
paint colors are original.
The entire stock of furnishings is
authentic and belonged to the store
There are even three items left OF
the original bill, dated June, 1892
which came from Townsend Speak
man of Philadelphia and contained