Pharmacy Museum

A museum for pharmacy might not seem compelling enough to warrant a visit, but that’s until you step into the one in New Orleans. It is believed to be an important milestone in Louisiana’s pharmaceutical history. Probably alarmed at quacks, voodoo practitioners and questionable medical practices, Louisiana State passed a law mandating that pharmacists should pass an exam and be licensed. A local pharmacist Louis J. Dufilho, Jr. thus became the country’s first licensed pharmacist. Apart from his work, the museum has interesting and bizarre exhibits including those pertaining to such practices such as, bloodletting, leeches, and questionable medical practices. There is also an apothecary shop from the 19th century, with hand-blown glass bottled filled with an array of crude drugs, herbs and potions that formed the mainstay of pharmacists during that time. Tickets are priced at $5.