Fredericksburg

The Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, housed in an authentic 18th-century building (circa 1772), presents a fascinating glimpse into Revolutionary-era medical practices through its meticulously restored apothecary museum. Dr. Hugh Mercer, a Scottish physician who fled Scotland after the Battle of Culloden, practiced medicine in Fredericksburg for fifteen years, treating patients including Mary Washington (mother of George Washington) with period remedies such as leeches, lancets, snakeroot, and crab claws. This remarkable physician later left his practice to join the Revolutionary army, ultimately dying as a Brigadier General at the Battle of Princeton. The museum features costumed interpreters who provide guided tours of the first floor, demonstrating 18th-century medical treatments, while visitors can explore the second floor and medicinal herb gardens at their leisure. The exhibits include authentic period medical instruments, live leeches used for bloodletting demonstrations, and detailed presentations about surgical procedures of the era, including amputation statistics. As part of the Washington Heritage Museums group, this National Trust Distinctive Destination offers an immersive 45-minute experience that bridges medical history with Revolutionary War heritage.