.All Trips / Eastern Canada / North America / Ontario

The Niagara Apothecary, Niagara-on-the-Lake

00 The Niagara Apothecary

The Niagara Apothecary is a pharmacy museum you can visit when in the small historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.  The building actually was a active pharmacy from 1820 to 1964.  It was restored to its appearance circa 1869, and was opened as a Museum in 1971.

The interior is quite luxurious, especially for a small town pharmacy.  There are black walnut and butternut fixtures, and three crystal chandeliers.  Most of the shelves are filled with bottles and jars, all original and imported from Britain around 1830.  A pharmacist in the 19th century made most of the medications consumed by his customers, unlike in the 21st century when pharmacists only rarely make custom medications.

Interior shelving, The Niagara Apothecary

Interior shelving, The Niagara Apothecary

Admission is free and it’s a lot of fun to …

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“Pic of the Week”, March 29, 2019: Farmacia de la Estrella, Buenos Aires

00 Pharmacy

Like many of you, I’d like to step back in time on occasions — at least as much as a particular spot will allow me to.

A visit to Farmacia de la Estrella on Defensa Street in Buenos Aires, near the Basilica de San Francisco, will take you back to the 19th century.  Built in 1835, the pharmacy is still actively functioning and a busy place dispensing homeopathic remedies to those in need.  It is said to be the oldest pharmacy in Buenos Aires.  

The woodwork is original mahogany, and the murals are lovely.  You’ll see lots of old jars from a time when medicine didn’t come in blisterpacks or disposable bottles.  The pharmacy hasn’t changed much over the past two centuries and …

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