About Caswell Massey

America’s Original Purveyor of Luxury Personal Care Products and Accessories

Before there was the United States of America, there was Caswell-Massey, the original purveyor of the finest personal care products and accessories and America’s oldest operating retailer. Since its founding in 1752 in Newport, Rhode Island by Dr. William Hunter, Caswell-Massey has been privileged to serve a distinguished clientele including the Founding Fathers, the pioneers of Wall Street, and legends of art and film.

On July 4th, 1887, The New York Times wrote: “There is no house in the world that handles goods of more absolute and invariable purity and reliability, or that has a more important or select class of trade than Messrs. Caswell, Massey & Co."

Dr. Hunter pampered his loyal clientele through his passion for quality and his dedication to seeking out and using only the finest ingredients in his preparations. In supplying his Apothecary, Dr. Hunter also procured for his clients the finest products and accessories from around the world. These traditions have continued from generation-to-generation with the knowledge and ownership of the Apothecary transferred through the apprenticeship model for the majority of its long and proud history.

Ownership of Dr. Hunter’s Apothecary, as it was originally known, transferred through apprenticeship for the majority its history, with each retiring pharmacist handing over the keys and expertise to his apprentice. The company took its present name in 1876 when then-owner John Rose Caswell became partners with New York businessman William Massey.

Today, Caswell-Massey continues the traditions of crafting only the finest personal care products and accessories, and of procuring the best of what the world has to offer. More than 258 years after Dr. Hunter opened his doors, Caswell-Massey continues to honor his commitment to quality, service, and innovation. Some things never change.