See the beautiful historic collection
Take a peek
The Ouray Alchemist Pharmacy Museum is a must-see when in Ouray! Take a guided tour back in time to experience pharmacy in the Wild West. Over 50 years of collecting has helped shape this outstanding re-creation of a frontier pharmacy, including the oldest prescription in Colorado. We have over 700 hand-blown pharmacy bottles many with the original drugs inside. Tours are private and need to be booked ahead. Curtis did all the collecting himself and put together a masterpiece pharmacy museum.
Take another peek
Normal tour time is at 10 am on most days. A second tour might be given at 1 pm. IT IS BEST TO CALL AHEAD SO YOU DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS UNIQUE TOUR! Allow up to two hours for the full tour, and please book your tour ahead of time. Our hours vary.
19th Century Leech Jar
This extensive collection reveals a time capsule of even earlier days with artifacts dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries - even to as early as 350 BC!
Wooden Indian maiden with original paint
Wooden Indian maiden with original paint
Wooden Indian maiden with original paint
Curtis and Nancy Haggar built this building in 2010 designed to house their unique and extensive pharmacy, alchemy and medical collection Much of the collection has been acquired from local sources including the historic mining towns of the San Juan Mountains.
We also have a gift store
Wooden Indian maiden with original paint
Wooden Indian maiden with original paint
Our gift store,
in front of the museum where you first enter, features fine art, antiques, bottles, cards featuring unique local photographs, t-shirts, jewelry and other interesting collectibles.
Assortment of patent medicines displayed
Wooden Indian maiden with original paint
Assortment of patent medicines displayed
See our fascinating collection of patent medicine sold by snake oil salesmen, original historic artwork and photographs. There is a story behind every piece, so you can always ask questions about the individual pieces when you take the tour from Curtis, the collector, curator, pharmacist and owner.
More information
Recommended for adults or older children only
Recommended for adults or older children only
Recommended for adults or older children only
The full tour is not recommended for children under 12, however shorter tours may be arranged for a family group interested in history. No young, rambunctious children will be allowed due to the possibility of breakage.
Cost of tour
Recommended for adults or older children only
Recommended for adults or older children only
Tour rate is currently $20.00 per person.
Must enjoy history
Recommended for adults or older children only
Must enjoy history
Interest in history is a recommended prerequisite for taking the tour.
Book a tour ahead
Over the counter medicine available
Must enjoy history
Tours are limited so please book ahead so you do not miss out.
Over the counter medicine available
Over the counter medicine available
Over the counter medicine available
We also have nonprescription items you may need plus the helpful advice from one of two friendly retired pharmacists.
Exact location
Over the counter medicine available
Over the counter medicine available
Our address is Ouray Alchemist 533 Main Street Ouray CO 81427 Mailing address is PO Box 649 Ouray CO 81427. We are on the east side of the street just north of the Beaumont Hotel. Look for our Ouray Alchemist sign with the green snake.
Historic local pieces
Museum entrance inside the store
Museum entrance inside the store
This show globe hung in the window of a pharmacy across the street from where the Alchemist is now..
Museum entrance inside the store
Museum entrance inside the store
Museum entrance inside the store
See the 1888 Aspen Drugstore pharmacy fixtures that we meticulously had restored. This is the entrance to the main collection room, however the museum is expanding forward.
Museum entrance inside the store
Drugs with histories
See how advertising was done in earlier days.
Learn how alchemy mixed into the overall equation.
Drugs with histories
Look for our artistic building design
Drugs with histories
Many substances that are illegal now were readily available in earlier times.
Patent medicines
Look for our artistic building design
Look for our artistic building design
See products available from yesteryear.
Look for our artistic building design
Look for our artistic building design
Look for our artistic building design
Gargoyles, a copper dome and the finial atop the building add to the charm and artistic design of our custom building. The building was completed in 2011 but is always a work in progress.
About Us
Curt & Nancy
Curtis met Nancy when the Aspen Drug fixtures were for sale back in 2002. She was the pharmacist standing behind the counter that Curt bought for the museum. All fixtures were for sale. Nancy likes to joke that she got thrown in on the deal. Both Curtis and Nancy are retired pharmacists.
By the way.....
Penthouse Suite
Penthouse Suite
Penthouse Suite
The Ouray Alchemist building has a penthouse suite available for short-term rentals on the third floor through owners - Nancy & Curt Haggar
Listed on vrbo
Penthouse Suite
Penthouse Suite
Our listing is #330308 on vrbo.
Or call us
Penthouse Suite
Best to book ahead
You can also give us a call directly. 970-325-4003
Best to book ahead
Call us for more information and availability
Best to book ahead
We book up fast so please book ahead if you know your dates, especially for the summer and autumn colors in the fall.
Minimum of two nights
Call us for more information and availability
Call us for more information and availability
Glimpse of living room area
Call us for more information and availability
Call us for more information and availability
Call us for more information and availability
It is clean, comfortable and cozy. Maximum of two adults. No children.
More about our rental suite
Clean and well maintained
You won't get tired of the views
Clean and well maintained
Powder room.
Second vanity area
You won't get tired of the views
Clean and well maintained
Two vanity areas in bathroom.
You won't get tired of the views
You won't get tired of the views
You won't get tired of the views
We get many repeat renters.
More penthouse photos
Lots of big windows
Lots of big windows
Lots of big windows
The views are 360' and breathtaking!
Front balcony
Lots of big windows
Lots of big windows
Great breakfast nook.
Comfy king bed
Lots of big windows
Comfy king bed
Enjoy a good night's rest.
More photos
Autumn view of ampitheater
Autumn view of ampitheater
Autumn view of ampitheater
View from the 400 square foot spacious back deck
Looking west
Autumn view of ampitheater
Autumn view of ampitheater
View from deck looking the other direction at the big barrel bedroom windows.
Call for rates
Autumn view of ampitheater
Call for rates
Enjoy the magnificent views!