NORWICH – Approximately 100 local residents, historians, city officials and former employees of the Norwich Pharmacal Company, Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals and Proctor & Gamble were on hand last night for an official ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new Norwich Pharmacal exhibit at the Chenango County Historical Society Museum.
The former Pharmacal Museum, located in the Eaton Center up until three months ago, was originally created by Proctor & Gamble, who acquired Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals, formerly known as Norwich Pharmacal, in 1982. Following its departure from the center in 1995, much of the pharmaceutical memorabilia was presented to the county’s museum at 45 Rexford St. in Norwich.
The new exhibit features a number of informational wall hangings, historic artwork, advertising pieces and a digital slide show, according to Historical Society and Museum Director Alan Estus, who said the importance of featuring this company and its importance to the community could not be underestimated.
Curator Diane Hamblin said the move had been in the works for some time now, as the museum continues to renovate and expand its services.
“We wanted to be sure the history of the company was well told and never forgotten,” she said.
Norwich Pharmacal, which rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries thanks to products such as Pepto-Bismol and Unguentine, employed thousands of workers locally in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Norwich’s Frank Benenati, who worked for the company for 37 years, considers those years very important ones in the growth of the community.
“I think it’s been the fear of a lot of us that these important items and treasures would be lost,” stated Benenati. “Finding a final resting place for them is very satisfying for a lot of us who worked during the heyday of Norwich Pharmacal.”
Del Law, who retired from P&G in 1994 after 36 years, said it was “really significant” to have the new exhibit located at the CCHS Museum “along with the rest of the county’s history.”
“It’s more accessible now and professionally laid out,” stated Law. “We’re very fortunate to have so much memorabilia and it’s great that folks have worked together to save all this.”
Roberson Museum and Science Center Director of Exhibitions Peter Klosky, an expert in freelance museum design, was brought on board for the remodeling of the pharmaceutical exhibit. He was joined by a number of former Norwich Pharmacal and P&G employees.
“The retirees were heavily involved and there are a lot of man-hours represented here,” said Hamblin. “The volunteer effort alone saved us thousands of dollars.”
“It’s been a dream and a concern for many of us to preserve this piece of history,” added Benenati.
The Chenango Historical Society Museum is located at 45 Rexford St. in Norwich. Museum hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Retirees of Norwich Pharmacal and P&G will be on hand for guided tours during regular museum hours through September 24. For more information, call 334-9227 or visit www.chenango.history.museum.