Finding a Lock of George Washington’s Hair, and a Link to American History

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An ongoing inventory of archival collections at Schaffer Library has uncovered a historic find: a rare lock of hair belonging to George Washington hidden inside a long-forgotten book.

“This is a very significant treasure,” said India Spartz, head of Special Collections and Archives. “It’s a tremendous testament to history and our connection to some of the most important historical figures.”

The discovery has been reported in hundreds of media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Fox News, CNN, USA Today, NBC News and NPR.

The New York Times ran a story on its front page.