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Drugstore circa 1920s

Historical Significance

Sealed upon most minds is the image of the local drugstore with friendly druggist and soda jerk, an idea derived from reality, the movies, legend and lore. In small towns, especially, the social life often revolved around the soda foundation and from the pharmacy came healing and often foul tasting pills and liquids. Realizing that this cultural heritage was disappearing from 20th century America, the Alabama Pharmaceutical Association collected artifacts and established the Drugstore Museum in the early 1980s at another location. These artifacts help depict the cultural heritage of a small town drugstore where the druggist dispensed medicines for the sick and the soda jerk dispensed soda, ice cream, and shakes at the soda fountain. The Drugstore also includes an exhibit with many tools of the pharmaceutical trade.  Complete with soda fountain, patent medicines, a pharmacy, cosmetics, and ice cream tables and chairs, the Drugstore Museum depicts the scene as many remember it.

Architectural Significance

In 1990 Landmarks Foundation and the APA undertook moving the museum to Old Alabama Town where the Foundation replicated an interior setting in an onsite warehouse.