Saturday, April 2, 2011 - Margaret Hunter's Fine Millinery, Pasteur & Galt Apothecary

Margaret Hunter Shop
on Duke of
Gloucester Street.

In the 18th century, millinery shops were almost always owned by women. From fabric sold in the shop, milliners would make items such as:shirts, shifts, aprons, neckerchiefs, caps, cloaks, hoods, hats, muffs, ruffles, and trim for gowns. 




       

In addition to being a trades woman who made fashion accessories, the milliner was also a businesswoman who sold a wide range of fashionable imported goods. It was not uncommon for a milliner in the colonies to advertise that she had just imported from London the very latest in mercery, haberdashery, jewelry, hosiery, shoes "and other items too tedious to mention."

Interpreter explaining about the goods.

Ladies Hat made a Margaret Hunter's 

The other primary 18th-centurywoman's trade was that of mantua making – or gown making. On occasion, the apprenticeship for milliners also included learning the skills of mantua making. Independent of a millinery shop, the gown maker was on par with the tailor – both were skilled in cutting, fitting, and sewing but usually were not able to sell fabric to their customers. In the 18th century, fabric accounted for the largest part of the cost of clothing.

At the Margaret Hunter Shop in Colonial Williamsburg today, interpreters portray the millinery business with changing 18th-century fashions, their importance in colonial society, and the economics of importing. In addition, interpreters practice using the accurate trade methods and technologies appropriate to the various trades of millinery, mantua making, tailoring, and stay making. Milliners sewed and sold, among other things:  cloaks, mantles, hats, hoods, caps, gloves, petticoats, hoops, riding costumes, dresses for masquerades, all in the latest fashion.

Ladies enjoy a cup of tea
while examining the latest goods
at the Millinery Shop.

A gentleman has his shirt cuff
adjusted in the
Margaret Hunter Shop.

The Pasteur & Galt Apothecary Shop on Duke of Gloucester Street is the site where two apothecary-surgeons practiced. The shop features copies of Dr. Galt's certificates in medical theory, midwifery, and surgery, for training completed at Saint Thomas's Hospital in London.

 A colonial apothecary practiced as doctor. Records kept by 18th-century Williamsburg's apothecaries show that they made house calls to treat patients, made and prescribed medicines, and trained apprentices. Some apothecaries were also trained as surgeons and man-midwives.

Pasteur & Galt Apothecary 

 A large collection of British delft drug jars for storing medications line one wall, and antique implements for compounding and dispensing drugs are also displayed, with some items original to the site. Medications made from recipes in 18th-century professional pharmacy books are also shown. 


Some of the ingredients that were used in colonial remedies are the basis for modern medications. They included chalk for heartburn, calamine for skin irritations, and cinchona bark for fevers. Later it was discovered that cinchona bark contains quinine for malaria and quinidine for cardiac conditions.

Williamsburg apothecaries also sold cooking spices, candles, salad oil, anchovies, toothbrushes, and tobacco, making them true precursors of today's drugstores.

A lancet is poised to let
the blood of a patient.

The mortar and pestle sign
hanging in front of the
Pasteur & Galt Apothecary
Shop indicates the nature
 of the business within.