Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ Throop Museum Brings Visitors Back in Time

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A Visit Provides Unique Views of Century-Old Pharmacy Tools

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences contributed its story to the recognitions on the digital AIHP Atlas of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical History. AIHP is the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy, based at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.A screen cap of the AHIP map pinning the Throop Museum

ACPHS appears among more than 2,500 key events in America’s pharmacy heritage cited on the atlas, located at AIHP.org/Atlas. Each of the virtual global map pins tells a bite-sized story. Zoom in on the map and learn about both scientific history and popular culture.

Located on the first floor of ACPHS’ O’Brien Building, the Throop Museum visualizes life more than a century ago. The various pieces in the collection combined with the prescription and business records kept by meticulous shopkeepers give a glimpse into life in rural America during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

History of the Throop Museum

The Throop Drug Store was established in 1800 in Schoharie, NY (40 miles SW of Albany), and run by the Throop family for the next 136 years. In 1938, ACPHS acquired the Throop Drugstore as an historical museum. It was moved to the College in its entirety where it was reconstructed using the original contents and materials that were available. It has remained a source of pride ever since.

To improve the facility and give it a prominent location, the Museum was moved to the first floor of the O’Brien Building in 2001. During the move, attention was given to maintain the integrity of the original structure. The tin ceiling, tile floor, and even the paint colors were thoroughly researched to ensure they were appropriate to the period.

The expanded Throop Museums includes collections of:

  • Show globes
  • Porcelain, wooden, and metal mortars and pestles
  • An extensive collection of apothecary bottles and jars

Lee Anna Obos, RPh, is the curator of the Throop Pharmacy Museum at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Founded in 1881, ACPHS remains one of America’s earliest schools of pharmacy. It is consistently ranked for value and return-on-investment both in New York state and across the country.

Learn more by visiting the Throop Museum online.