Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marker Inscription
Founded in 1821 at historic Carpenters' Hall by prominent apothecaries to improve the standards of pharmacy, the College was incorporated the following year. It is the oldest institution of its kind in the United States.
Erected by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
The Story
In 1821, a group of Philadelphia apothecaries gathered at historic Carpenters' Hall—the same building where the First Continental Congress had met—to found a college that would raise pharmacy from an informal trade into a trained profession. Incorporated the following year, it became the first pharmacy school in the United States. Its founding reflected the young republic's broad push to professionalize the sciences and safeguard public health.
Why it matters
As the nation's oldest school of pharmacy, it set the standards and training model that shaped American pharmaceutical education for generations.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Bridgette Mayer2.9 mi away · 709 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- African American Museum in Philadelphia3.0 mi away · 701 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Congress Hall3.1 mi away · Philadelphia, PA
- Liberty Bell Center3.1 mi away · 526 Market Street, Philadelphia
- Independence Hall3.1 mi away · 520 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Independence Visitor Center3.1 mi away · 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Attractions
- American Bandstand0.8 mi away
- Philadelphia Zoo1.9 mi away
- Rocky Steps2.0 mi away
- The Universal Sphere2.1 mi away
- Pennsylvania Railroad, Connecting Railway Bridge2.2 mi away
- One Liberty Observation Deck2.2 mi away
Food & drink
- Munchie’s Cafe2.9 mi away · 728 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Philly Pretzel Factory2.9 mi away
- Talula's Garden2.9 mi away · 210 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Talula's Daily2.9 mi away · 208 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA
- Fat Salmon2.9 mi away · 719 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Burger King2.9 mi away
Places to stay
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City2.4 mi away · 237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Cambria Hotel Philadelphia Downtown - Center City2.4 mi away · 219 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Holiday Inn Express2.4 mi away · 1305-11 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Fairfield Inn & Suites2.4 mi away · 261 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA
- Residence Inn Philadelphia Center City2.5 mi away · 1 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA
- The Notary Hotel2.5 mi away · 21 North Juniper Street, Philadelphia
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Themes & tags
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