The James J. O'Mara Pharmacy Museum is a heritage drug store circa 1895, and is a replica of a working pharmacy complete with a set of antique store fixtures, a display of pharmaceutical implements such as mortars and pestles, scales, cork presses and much more. The store fixtures are made of oak and were constructed in England in 1897 for the firm of M. Connors Limited Wholesale and Retail Druggist of St. John's, Newfoundland. They were shipped to St. John's and installed in the drug store that same year. The fixtures were in use in that store and other stored until they were purchased by the Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association in 1975, and were stored until a suitable location could be found to set up a museum.
In 1987, the association purchased the Peter O'Mara Drug Store and carried out major restoration of the building. The museum was officially opened in September, 1988. The ceiling of the museum is made of embosses tin and is part of the original building, which was constructed as a drug store in 1922. This store continues to operate and remain in the O'Mara family until it closed in 1985.
This is a heritage project intended to preserve the history of pharmact in Newfoundland and to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the profession of pharmacy, which is as old as time itself.
The museum is located in Apothecary Hall at 488 Water Street on the corner of Brennan Street. It is owned and operated by the Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association, and the administration offices of the Association are also housed in this building. The association was presented with the Southcott Award for heritage conservarion and the building was designated as a historic site by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. A certificate of commendation was presented to the Newfoundland Pharmaceutical Association in 1989, by the American Association of State and Local History, for preservation of the history of pharmacy in Newfoundland.
Open to the public from June to September, Viewing by Appointment at all other times