In a dark, chilly room at the New York Academy of Medicine, Arlene Shaner, the academy’s historical collections librarian, recently donned surgical gloves and unboxed the institution’s crown jewels: a golden pocket watch and a matching chain that bears a wax seal stamp; a pendant bearing George Washington’s face; and a windowed case holding a tooth, root and all.
The case is inscribed in tiny cursive: “In New York 1790 Jn Greenwood made Pres Geo Washington a whole sett of teeth. The enclosed tooth is the last one which grew in his head.”
Shaner slipped the cover off another box, revealing a set of lower dentures with another inscription: “Under jaw. This was Great Washington’s teeth by J. Greenwood. First one made by J. Greenwood 1789.”
Read the article.
View our COVID-19 Safety Protocols for attending NYAM public events.