Did you know that George Washington bought teeth from some of the people enslaved at Mount Vernon? (1st in a series)
The only remaining full set of Washington’s dentures are displayed at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. (Photo Courtesy: Mount Vernon Ladies Association)
George Washington had terrible teeth. But his dentures were never made of wood. They were made of metal, bone, ivory –and human teeth. And yes, records show that he paid some of the enslaved African-American people at his plantation for their teeth. It is not known if these teeth were ever used.
Read more about Washington’s relationship with the enslaved people of Mount Vernon, and the role slavery played in his presidency: In the Shadow of Liberty. (Available for preorder in book and audio; in stores on 9/20)
In the Shadow of Liberty (Available for pre-order and in stores on 9/20)
