Jack Zaccardo talks about “Patent Medicines and the Bottles They Came In” at the next History Tales presentation, set for 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at First United Methodist Church, 110 E. Seventh St., Port Angeles.

Presented by the North Olympic History Center/Clallam County Historical Society, History Tales is free and open to the public. The program will be held in the social hall; parking and entry are on Laurel Street.

Those who attend this program are encouraged to bring any patent medicine bottles in their collections.

Zaccardo, who retired from the Department of Natural Resources, is originally from Port Angeles and is a fourth-generation timber worker.

Patent medicines were a staple in pioneers’ homes and early drug stores — concoctions that promised to cure any and all ailments from gall stones to catarrh.

Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root claimed, “Druggists who have your health and welfare at heart will sell you Swamp-Root when called for, as experienced druggists usually know the value of Swamp-Root as a Diuretic to the kidneys.” Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound promised to cure women’s ailments and help “keep them fit to work.”

For more information, call the North Olympic History Center’s office at 360-452-2662 or email to artifact@olypen.com.