Hugh Mercer Apothecary

Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop can be found at Caroline St 1020. The following is offered: Tourist Attractions. The entry is present with us since Sep 10, 2010 and was last updated on Nov 14, 2013. In Fredericksburg there are 10 other Tourist Attractions. An overview can be found here.

Offering a close-up view of 18th- and 19th-century medical instruments and procedures, the apothecary was established in 1761, and demonstrates the work of Dr. Mercer, a Scotsman who served as a brigadier general of the Continental Army (he was killed at the Battle of Princeton). Dr. Mercer may have been more careful than other Colonial physicians, but his methods might still make you cringe. A...

Born in Scotland in 1726, Dr. Hugh Mercer became friends with George Washington when they were colonels during the French and Indian War of the 1750s. He opened this apothecary shop in 1761 and practiced here until returning to service as a brigadier-general in the American Revolution. He was with Washington during the famous crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night of 1776 and died of...

Know more about how different ailments were cured back in 1742 when science was still young and ailments like fever caused death. You will get to take a tour through this ancient pharmacy museum and check out the different herbs, barks and roots which were administered as medicines. Check out the beautiful garden which has samples of the medicinal trees growing here. If you are interested in...