Historical information

This bottle was used in the pharmacy of R.F.Kennedy & Co. of Warrnambool. Richard Frank Kennedy (1826-1903) was born in England and came to Warrnambool in the early 1880s, where he established a pharmacy business in Timor Street. This was a retail, wholesale and manufacturing business. In 1891 Kennedy erected a new building which was described as one of the most elegant and best-stocked chemist’s shops in Victoria. Kennedy was active in Warrnambool community affairs and was a foundation member of the Warrnambool Bowls Club, being its first Vice-President and an early President. The pharmacy business continued after Kennedy’s death, trading as R.F.Kennedy and Co.

Significance

Richard Frank Kennedy was one of the most significant businessmen in Warrnambool in the late 19th century. The products of his chemist shop and factory were distributed all over Victoria and beyond. This bottle is retained as an example of the smaller-sized bottles used in the Kennedy pharmacy.

Physical description

This is a clear glass bottle with a rectangular-shaped body with rounded edges, a circular-shaped neck and a moulded top and opening. The top is slightly chipped. There is no stopper. The bottle has the chemist’s name on the side. The inside of the bottle is discoloured from the original contents.

Inscriptions & markings

‘3 iv’
‘R.F.Kennedy & Co. Chemists Warrnambool’