The Country Doctor Museum

The Country Doctor Museum’s original building was built from two 19th century country doctor’s office buildings. Now known as the “Freeman-Brantley Building,” this historic structure houses the museum’s displays on pharmacy, surgery, and a turn-of-the-20th-century sick room.

Apothecary Bottles: More Than What Meets the Eye

Labels on apothecary bottles identified the contents and their composition.

Commonly known as “labels under glass,” they protected the painted words and designs from spills, drips, and heavy usage.

 

 

Passing Time in the Sick Room

At the turn of the 20th century, many childhood illnesses resulted in long convalescences.

Books like “Puss in Boots” might have helped pass the time.

Learn more in the museum’s “Sick Room.”

Make Haste!

Take a quick peek at a new collection of artifacts now on display in our transportation cabinet. These medical emblems or medallions were attached to car license plates by doctors, pharmacists, and nurses earlier in the 20th century. The emblem would signify to local law enforcement that the car speeding through town or double-parked belonged to a medical professional most likely on an urgent call.

Breathe In, Breathe Out

On a museum tour, learn how iron lungs were used during polio epidemics during the 20th century.

The Country Doctor Museum is open

Tuesday – Saturday,

10am – 4pm.

Visiting the museum is only through guided tours.

Tours are offered on the hour, every hour from 10am to 3pm.

The last tour of the day is offered at 3pm.

                                                                                                                

 

The museum will be CLOSED

April 3-4, May 23 and July 4, 2026.

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The Country Doctor Museum accepts

cashless payments only for admission and gift shop sales.

The museum accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards.

One person demonstrates use of an antique pill roller to make pills. Another person watches from across the table.
Visit
A group of people, one dressed as a country doctor, stand behind the museum's sign.
About
Individuals lean over a table with gloves and masks as they examine small artifacts.
Learn
A highway marker sign for the Country Doctor Museum is photographed next to a road.
News
A view of the museum's medicinal garden recently planted with herbs and bushes.
Herb Garden
A view of a pathway across the museum's campus with pink azaleas and a cherry tree in the foreground.
Give

See What Our Guests Say!

We think the Country Doctor Museum is something special, but don't just take our word for it.

Named as one of the “35 of North Carolina’s Most Unforgettable Museums” by Our State Magazine

October 2020

Always pass by the sign on the highway on my drive to Greenville and one day finally made a plan to visit. So glad I did! Incredible museum with wonderful bits of NC specific medical history.

Hannah R. - July 2025

… all of the exhibits are wonderfully preserved, and our guide made the tour come to life!

M.S. - July 2025

Suprisingly fun tour! Worth a visit!

Gloria C. - May 2024

This is a great little hidden gem. My wife and I have passed the sign on Hwy 264 many times and finally decided to stop today. We’re glad we did …

Tim M. - February 2023

Really enjoyed our Homeschool field trip to the museum! The tour was very interesting and informative and they even had a hands on activity for us at the end. Thank you!!

Katherine E. - October 2022

Absolute highlight of the trip, super interesting place, and Lizzie was an epic tour guide, very knowledgeable and fun.

Chris V. - February 2023

Mission Statement

The Country Doctor Museum is dedicated to interpreting the history of medicine in rural America.