City of Alexandria, VA

06/28/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/28/2022 12:43

The Apothecary Museum Announces Harry Potter Birthday Tours

The Real-World Science Behind HarryPotter on July 31
The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum
July 31
10 a.m.-8 p.m.
$8, Tickets available here.

In honor of Harry's birthday on July 31st and the 25th anniversary of The Sorcerer's Stone, the Apothecary Museum is offering a special guided tour for families (and adults who missed their Hogwarts' letter) that will explore the old Apothecary and the historic muggle medicines that inspired the Herbology and Potions of Harry's wizarding world.

This year neighbors of the Apothecary Museum will join the festivities. Stop by the participating business partners treats, activities, story times, and more! See below for a list of participating businesses.

Cost is $8 per person. Tours are offered every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Each timed-entry will be a separate guided tour, so be sure to purchase your group's admission for only one timed-entry. Due to the small spaces in the museum, the capacity for each tour is 10 people. Everyone must purchase admission, both adults and children.

Tickets can be purchased either online at alexandriava.gov/shop or by calling 703.746.3852. These events sell out, so purchase in advance!

Participating Business Partners:

  • Boxwood - 128 S. Royal Street
    Fly your broom over to Boxwood to hatch your own magical egg and sip on some magical zero proof potions by Umbrella Dry Drinks! $25 adult; $20 child (12 and under) Pre-registration encouraged. Visit www.BoxwoodOldTown.comfor more information.
  • Dolci Gelati - 107 N. Fairfax Street
    Support a local business with a cup of butterbeer gelato while supplies last.
    July 31 hours: 9am-10am. www.OldTownDolci.com
  • Encore Consignment Boutique - 119 S. Fairfax Street
    Stop by for a piece of Harry Potter-themed candy and the opportunity to enter a drawing for a brand new copy of the first book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" - a First American edition, October, 1998. July 31 hours: 12pm-5pm. www.EncoreAlexandria.com
  • Lavender Moon Cupcakery - 116 S. Royal Street
    Support a local business with a butterbeer cupcake while supplies last.
    July 31 hours: 12pm-8pm (or when the cupcakes sell out)
  • Old Town Books - 130 S. Royal Street
    Stop by for a magic-themed story time at 9:30am on July 31, or check out their staff-curated book recommendations for Harry Potter fans. July 31 hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. www.OldTownBooks.com

About the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum: The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum is noted for its outstanding collection of medicinal herbs, shop furnishings, and apothecary bottles and equipment. Most of its collection is original to the 141-year-old family business, reflecting how medicine, the business, and Alexandria changed through the centuries. It also has a spectacular collection of archival materials, including journals, letters and diaries, prescription and formula books, ledgers, orders, and invoices.

The Apothecary Museum is located at 105-107 South Fairfax Street in Old Town Alexandria and is owned and operated by the City of Alexandria as part of the Office of Historic Alexandria.

About the Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA): The Office of Historic Alexandria preserves and shares the past to enrich the present and inspire the future. OHA shares these stories through museums and landscapes as well as tours, exhibitions, and a variety of public programs. Museums include the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Alexandria Black History Museum, Alexandria's History Museum at the Lyceum, Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site, Freedom House Museum, Friendship Firehouse Museum, Gadsby's Tavern Museum, and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. Additional spaces including the African American Heritage Park, Archives and Records Center, Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery, Murray-Dick-Fawcett House, Lloyd House, and Union Station collectively tell the story of the City. Urban archaeology also plays an active role in uncovering and interpreting Alexandria's history, recovering artifacts before they are lost to construction. OHA enhances the quality of life for City residents and visitors and is a partner in the City's equity and inclusion initiatives. For more information about the Office of Historic Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

For news media inquiries only, please email [email protected].

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended. To request a reasonable accommodation, e-mail [email protected] or call 703.746.4242, Virginia Relay 711.

# # #

This release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3738.