The NPCo Museum
The Norwich Pharmacal Museum is located at the Eaton Center on Eaton Avenue in the heart of downtown Norwich. The company was started in 1855 by the Rev. Lafayette F. Moore, a Baptist preacher, who went into business as "L.F. Moore, Pill Manufacturer," in a rented room on Mitchell Street.
L.F. Moore |
Oscar G. Bell |
He formed a partnership with Oscar G. Bell in 1886 and with the increased business they moved to a building on East Main Street.
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East Main Street building |
Later that year, Mr. Moore left the company. Then Mr. Bell and two other partners formed the Norwich Pharmacal Company, which was incorporated in 1890. The company improved an old formula for a surgical dressing and "Unguentine"grew to be the mainstay of the company for more than four decades. Around 1901, the company acquired, "Mixture Cholera Infantum" from a doctor who developed it. This was for treatment of "diarrhea cholera," a serious threat to young children. Adults also found the formula provided a relief of indigestion and diarrhea. The company then renamed the formula Pepto-Bismol with its famous pink color. The company has continued to grow and entered the field of basic research along with manufacturing. It has developed and manufactured Furadantin, Macrodantin, and Norwich Aspirin to name a few.
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Through the efforts of numerous individuals, The Norwich Pharmacal company Museum was envisioned and implemented.
The Norwich Pharmacal Company Museum contains artifacts from the company's history from its beginning in 1885 to 1994. View the beautiful paintings that feature dominant themes of early advertising, which was the means of generating advertising for many years. The photographs are arranged chronologically and feature the founder of the company, its presidents, employees, and major events which helped shape the company. |
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Display cases contain many products which were manufactured by the company over the years. Documents on display are stock certificates, price lists, and early advertising items. Laboratory instruments and glassware are on display, as well as factory equipment such as a tube filler, tablet counter and filling machine, and a revolving tablet coating pan.
Hours are Wednesdays, 1pm to 4pm and by appointment.
Call (607)334-9227
