A free evening of museums, memory, and American stories presented in conjunction with America’s 250th Anniversary.
Enjoy an evening in celebration of America's Semiquincentennial with the museums of the French Quarter Museum Association! From 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 2nd, museums throughout the French Quarter will be offering admission-free museum access and special programming to welcome guests in celebration of America's 250th birthday on July 4th. Explore the evolution and innovation of America over the last 250 years and learn the ways in which New Orleans and its people have directly contributed to the nation's progress and advancement.
Located in the home of America's first licensed pharmacist, Louis Dufilho, Jr., the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum showcases the history and evolution of pharmacy and medicine since Louisiana became the first state to require medical licensure in 1816. Louisiana was the first state to require licensure not just because of the need for regulation and formal systems, but also as a result of the exchange of knowledge between cultures—including enslaved, Indigenous, and free communities whose contributions were rarely recognized or recorded. Take a deeper dive into history with a special exhibit examining what it means to be a "licensed" medical professional—and who is left out of this definition.
Agenda:
From 4 p.m.- 6 p.m., enjoy refreshments in the historic courtyard of the Pharmacy Museum and view the night's special exhibit.
From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum docents Owen Ever and Annika Bell guide guests through the history of 514 Chartres Street, the historic building that was once home to America's first licensed pharmacist, Louis Dufilho, Jr. These special tours, given specifically on this evening celebrating America's Semiquincentennial, offer a deeper look into the legacy of Louis Dufilho, Jr., the importance of medical licensure in19th century New Orleans, and the barriers presented to often-exploited communities by the perceived "adequacy" required to attain licensure. Tours will begin every 20 minutes and each one will last approximately 15 minutes. The last tour will begin at 7:00 p.m.
More details about the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum's programming for the evening will be available on May 1st.
