Description

Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop Tour

Name: Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop Tour
Start: 2026-06-30T19:44:59+00:00
End: 2026-06-30T19:44:59+00:00
Location: Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop

Discover the fascinating world of colonial medicine practiced by Dr. Hugh Mercer, Brigadier General during the American Revolution and a close friend of George Washington.

Visitors will have the opportunity to not only learn about this Revolutionary hero, but also the intriguing practices and remedies used during the era. Knowledgeable historic interpreters in period attire engage visitors as first-person assistants of Dr. Mercer. Learn about the herbs, leeches, and other treatments that were once the height of medical science. This is a rare chance to gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of 18th-century medicine.

Afterwards, stroll through the medicinal garden located in the back of the Apothecary Shop, where fragrant herbs, healing plants, and time-honored remedies reveal how families once cared for their health and home.

Guided tours of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop are presented as guests arrive and do not have predetermined starting times. Please note our hours of operation and allow approximately 45 minutes for each tour. The last tour of the day at the Apothecary Shop begins at 3:30 p.m. Street parking is available on Caroline Street.

Location: 1020 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Venue Details

Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop

1020 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

Washington Heritage Museums

Washington Heritage Museums (WHM) is a vibrant nonprofit organization founded in 2012 to protect and share four remarkable 18th-century house museums in historic downtown Fredericksburg: the Mary Washington House, Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern, and St. James’ House. The first three are open year-round for engaging guided tours led by site interpreters in period attire. The St. James’ House is open for guided tours during select weeks each spring and fall.

WHM expanded its mission in 2023 with the acquisition of the Mary Washington Monument and Caretaker’s Lodge, a site now undergoing renovation and landscape redesign to enhance accessibility and strengthen its educational impact.

Supported by a growing community of members across Virginia and beyond, WHM is dedicated to ensuring these cultural treasures remain relevant and accessible for future generations. The organization welcomes members to become active stewards of history, offering rewarding volunteer opportunities that inspire learning, safeguard the past, and ignite storytelling that connects generations.

Find more Washington Heritage Museums Events