Retired Scientists Are Brewing Up Hand Sanitizer At This Depression-Era Lab In Taos, New Mexico

With all the craziness currently going on in the world, hearing a bit of unique positivity can make another day in quarantine feel a little less mundane. Moments of our fellow humans giving back in small but profound ways—whether it's sewing and donating protective masks or food to those on the front lines—make stay-at-home orders just a little more bearable.

In fact, current events have prompted one New Mexico laboratory to resume operations after eight decades.

Couse Laboratories, housed in the Couse-Sharp Historic Site, recently dusted off its chemistry gear to produce small batches of hand sanitizer for private and public use.

The Couse-Sharp Historic Site is perhaps best known for the adobe buildings housing the former home, studio, and gardens of artists E.I.

One part of the site preserves Couse's Depression-era laboratory, which he used as a self-taught geologist and chemist for local mines.

This modest laboratory is preserved in its original form, with old tools still in pristine condition.

The combination of history and goodwill during a pandemic has led retired scientists to begin brewing hand sanitizer in the decades-old lab.

Mixing a concoction of Everclear (which is 95% ethanol) and glycerin in vintage chemistry equipment, the volunteer scientists created small batches of hand sanitizer to be used by staff and volunteers of the historic site.

Their first batch was completed in late March and since then, the volunteer chemists have brewed up more small batches as needed.

The hand sanitizer is being distributed to volunteers, staff, and even locals for contactless pickup. Once stay-at-home orders are lifted, they plan to have some available for public use when needed.

The Couse-Sharp Historic Site is located in Taos just off Kit Carson Road.

For details about the historic site, tours when the site reopens, and more, visit their website or Facebook page.

Website: Couse-Sharp

Facebook: The Couse-Sharp Historic Site

Address: 146 Kit Carson Road, Taos, New Mexico 87571

Phone: 575-751-0369

Looking for ways to support your favorite restaurants during our stay-at-home orders? There is one favorite New Mexico pizza joint that has just started offering delivery for the first time. Read about it in One Of New Mexico’s Favorite Eateries, Dion’s, Is Now Offering Delivery For The First Time.