Colonial Williamsburg Apothecary — Attraction in Williamsburg

This place is fantastic for anyone interested in sciency-medical stuff! The lady presenting while we were here really knew her stuff about the history behind apothecaries during the 18th century and onward before the advent of modern medicine. I asked questions about how colonists/early Americans managed healthcare and complications during the time before anticoagulants/anesthetics/antibiotics/vaccines, and she gave very intellectually stimulating responses about how basically they were left to their fate with life-threatening infections if it was in a central part of their body’s function. Or if they had a critical limb infection that wasn’t salvageable, they would just amputate it WITHOUT anesthetics and just opium for pain control. Sounds like tortuous nightmare fuel to me, which is why it’s interesting! The tools that she had on display and for demonstration were very terrifying, quite indicative of how surgery worked before modern medicine. The fact that they also have a formulary that they use to make the medicines they still keep on site is fascinating to me, never seen half the stuff they keep on their shelves. Would love to come back on a...

One of the highlights of our time in Willisburg. We enjoyed it so much we came back a second time. Fascinating stories and information, lots of items to see, and both "guides" we had were full of knowledge and able to answer any question put to them. My 8yo son and 12 yo daughter both asked to return....

Old fashioned apothecary with authentic appearing medical equipment, medicine jars and cabinets. The docent was very knowledgeable about 1770-1800 health care provided by the locals as home remedies and what the doctor could provide....