Words by Tehya Nichols Images supplied
Discover the gentle thrills of colourful glass vials, antiquated tins of talcum powder, and countless tiny wooden drawers at Dow’s Pharmacy.
Many museums present a snippet of history. Whether through a piece of art hanging on a white wall or a strange wax recreation behind glass. But to step inside history is a rare occasion. Dow’s Pharmacy, located in Chiltern, Victoria, provides such an opportunity and as of August 26th, the public are welcome to wander through this living museum for a weekend of exclusive open days.
A small, antiquated mud-brick shop on a quiet country street, Dow’s Pharmacy doesn’t reveal much to the passerby. But to step inside is to feel the gentle thrills of being somewhere you shouldn’t logically be; that being a nineteenth century apothecary. Built in 1859 and purchased by Hilda and Roy Dow in 1930, the pharmacy dolled prescriptions to the public until the late 1960s. When the Dow’s left, they decided—with incredible foresight—to leave everything as it was. What stands now is an untouched collection of over 4,000 historic artefacts to view, from original period fittings, stock and equipment, to instruments used to prepare medicines prior to the advent of modern dispensing.
This makes Dow’s Pharmacy one of Australia’s only remaining authentic historic shops. And something of a time capsule from a bygone era of medicine. Its rich history also includes a brush with political fame; one of the early pharmacists at Dow’s was David McEwen, father of the Australian prime minister, John McEwen.
These days, the pharmacy remains shuttered throughout the winter months and on public holidays, but as a part of the annual Chiltern Antique Fair, Dow’s will open it’s century-old doors (expect a squeak or two) to the public on Friday 26 until Sunday 28 August. The short festival celebrates the history of Chiltern, a Gold Rush town with dozens of intact historic building. Worth visiting is Lake View House—a perfect example of early brick building and the childhood home of author Henry Handel Richardson—and The Federal Standard Printing Works, another living museum of still-functioning printing presses from a century ago.
Just a few hours from the CBD, a day at Chiltern—and in particular Dow’s Pharmacy—feels a whole world away.
THE DETAILS
WHAT: Dow’s Pharmacy
WHERE: 42 Conness Street, Chiltern, Victoria
WHEN: Friday 26 August (3pm to 6pm) | Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 August (10am to 3pm)
MORE INFO: Dow’s Pharmacy – National Trust Victoria
We wish to acknowledge the Yorta Yorta people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
