It was 'Open House' and an opportunity to visit some interesting buildings usually closed to the general public. This is the main door to the Apothecaries' hall which is the oldest Livery Company hall of the thirty four surviving in the City of London. The Livery Company has been on this site since 1632.
The main door takes you into the courtyard where the Master was waiting to welcome everyone.
After the Great fire of 1666, the building was rebuilt around the courtyard and has been added to and altered since then.
It was the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries that set down the early foundations of modern day medicine. Unlike many of the other Livery Companies it still plays a key role today as an active medical institution.
On the first floor there is a display of drug jars.
including this delightful leeches jar.
The Society's Coat of Arms
This is a copper still used in a laboratory in the distilling process involved in the manufacture of drugs.
The Great hall
It was the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries that set down the early foundations of modern day medicine. Unlike many of the other Livery Companies it still plays a key role today as an active medical institution.
They certainly opened up some interesting places to visit, really liked this one.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing place. I am constantly awed by the history you show me. And you can keep the leech's jar, thank you very much. :-)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful windows and loved the decoration over the door. You visit the most interesting places!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place, and such a history!
ReplyDeleteSuch history and such beauty ~ Great photos ~ and thanks for sharing the opportunity to view the unique place ~ ^_^
ReplyDelete(A ShutterBug Explores)
Great tour of the hall. The artifacts are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to see something so old and well taken care of.
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ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting!!
ReplyDeleteLovely building
ReplyDeleteNow that looks a really interesting place to visit
ReplyDeleteMany countries have the same events at the same time I see. We had open doors here too two weeks ago.I love it to have a look inside buildings you otherwise never can enter!
ReplyDeleteDo you know that leeches are being used in modern medicine? I wonder if the copper still can make a liquid a bit more fun than drugs?
ReplyDeleteHello, what a great tour. A lovely building, the courtyard and the lamppost are pretty. I like the collection of drug jars. The windows and coat of arms is beautiful too. Lovely photos and post. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteThat would have been an interesting visit. The "leeches jar' ugh I'm glad that isn't part of modern medicine. Bill used to work for a chemist in Switzerland when he was 16. His job was to transport the leeches to and from the patients.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Coventry. I do like the stained glass windows and this looks like another great place to visit.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling a bit thick but I can't work out what the connection is between the Livery Company and the Apothecary Hall. A livery company has to do with horses, an apothecary with drugs...??
ReplyDeleteThe apothecary jars are so attractive. When you think of the jars, or rather plastic containers, our lotions and potions come in with writing and advertising all over, the old ones had lovely decorations. Why, even the leaches had a very attractive pot to be pulled out of!
Well, I am back...or did you know I had been traveling?
ReplyDeleteWHat a pretty place. I have read that they have these open doors in Canada...not aware that they have them in the U.S.? SUre wish they did.
Interesting place ! I too always take the opportunity to visit things which are not always open ! I am late with my comments due to my "eagle eyes" ! Sorry
ReplyDeleteInteresting look inside the building and its contents.
ReplyDeleteThat Open House Day is the greatest thing. Thanks for sharing it.
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