A lock of George Washington’s hair preserved in Westport!
Posted on February 16, 2026 by Jenny ONeill
I still recall the sense of disbelief and mild shock when I came across a reference to “a lock of George Washington’s hair” presented to and preserved by the Noquochoke Masonic Lodge in Westport MA. The lock of hair had been handed down through generations of the Cameron family of Philadelphia who were close to George Washington when he was President. The lock of hair eventually passed from John Cameron Bingham to his nephew Cameron E. Wood who in turn presented it to the Noquochoke Lodge “in token of the long friendship that existed between his father, Josiah Wood, and Wor. Cortez Allen.”
Further research revealed that there are many locks of Washington’s hair in museum collections as explored in the publication George Washington’s Hair: How Early Americans Remembered the Founders by Keith Beutler.
Given the significance of this artifact, the hair no longer hangs in the Noquochoke Lodge building. It is preserved off site in a very secure location!
“On May 26, 1923, Noquochoke Lodge came into possession of a unique relic, it being a lock of George Washington’s hair. It was presented to the Lodge by Wor. Cameron E. Wood of Barre Plains, Massachusetts, an Honorary Member of Noquochoke Lodge, in token of the long friendship that existed between his father, Josiah Wood, and Wor. Cortez Allen. Josiah Wood’s sister married John Cameron Bingham, who was a direct descendant of the Cameron family of Philadelphia, who were very intimate with George Washington when he was President. This lock of hair came into possession of the Cameron family and was handed down for generations. This particular lock came down to John Cameron Bingham, but he having no children, presented it to his nephew, Wor. Cameron E. Wood, who, as stated before, presented it to Noquochoke Lodge.” Source Masonic Genealogy.com. 75TH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY, OCTOBER 1953
From Proceedings, Page 1953-289: By Worshipful John A. Smith and Worshipful Donald P. Carr.
Painting Charles Willson Peale (American, 1741-1827). George Washington, 1776. Oil on canvas, 44 x 38 5/16 in. (111.7 x 97.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 34.1178