C. Carol Cartledge was elected third vice-president general responsible for membership at the National Society of Washington Descendants as they gathered in Williamsburg, Va., October 20-22.

The meeting centered around attending the 225th anniversary celebration of the victory at Yorktown ending the Revolutionary War with the surrender of Cornwallis. Over 3,000 re-enactors, including many from other countries, were there for the weekend event wearing a wide variety of stunning uniforms.

A high point during the weekend for her was attending, along with five other Descendants board members, a preview reception at Mount Vernon hosted by Chris Matthews of MSNBC, and his wife, Kathleen, of the new Ford Orientation Center, which features two big-screen theaters

showing an action-adventure film on George Washington and the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center, which features 23 theater and gallery experiences that span George Washington's lifetime and accomplishments. These new galleries and theaters were set to open to the public on October 27.

According to information provided to her in answer to the question "What did the real George Washington look like?," Mount Vernon enlisted a forensic anthropologist and computer wizards to answer the question. Two years and a million dollars later, wax likenesses were created of a young George that are part of the exhibits.

Additionally she learned Mount Vernon for over 150 years has been assembling a collection of 18th century treasures that have direct association

with George Washington from the simplest teacup to the most elegant Chippendale chair. These are all part of the new exhibits.

Also on display is a full set of dentures belonging to President Washington. They were never made of wood and no one knows how those rumors got started. In truth, Washington spent a small fortune on the best dentures money could buy. His false teeth were carefully carved from ivory, set in a custom-shaped lead base, and joined with tiny springs that kept the dentures in place.

The National Society of the Washington Family Descendants, who met in Washington-Wilkes in 2004 for the 50th anniversary of the Society, will meet at Mount Vernon in 2007.