The Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas, Cuero

The Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas building was built in 1889 and was a pharmacy until 2012. A long-term dream of the owner, Joe Reuss, and his wife, Wanda, was to create a pharmacy and medical museum that would house their extensive collection of pharmacy and medical artifacts. Mr. Reuss recognized that this was the perfect building to house that collection. To assure the long-term viability of the museum, Mr. Reuss donated the museum to the City of Cuero owned Cuero Heritage Museum, which would operate it as a branch location.

The museum opened in November 2014, which was earlier than planned, because people passing by kept knocking on the door wanting to come in to see the progress. The restoration of the downstairs portion of the building is now essentially complete and open to the public.

Upon entering the front door, one immediately gets the feeling of entering into a 19th century pharmacy. There are original 1889 beautiful wooden cabinets and counters, along with a magnificent center stairway, leading up to what used to be a doctor's office. One can see bottles upon bottles labeled with their old fashioned Latin names, hand-painted cabinet doors, elaborately telling what's inside, and medical instruments that look horrifyingly gruesome.

A 19th century pharmacy was more than just a dispenser of medicine, as it also sold just about anything that could be brought into the store. On display are antique phonographs, radios and sewing machines, as well as veterinary supplies and cosmetics. All of these items, plus more, were sold in pharmacies here in Cuero.

The museum is still a work in progress, as the second floor is being renovated to contain 19th century offices for a doctor and a dentist. There will also be a medical laboratory and a display of veterinary items. It is anticipated that the second floor will open in approximately one year.

Also in the museum is a small store selling items from both the Pharmach and Medical Museum and the Heritage Museum. Many of these items are original duplicate display items found in both museums.

The Museum has proven to be of interest to all age levels. Both grandmothers and grandchildren find something that peak their interests and cause them to ask questions. PLEASE COME VISIT US!

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