Three life-size figures of Washington, developed through a cutting-edge forensic investigation, are among the highlights in "Discover the Real George Washington: New Views From Mount Vernon," opening Friday, Sept. 10, at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh.

The figures are based on a two-year forensic study in which computer scientists, art historians, 18th-century garment experts and a forensic scientist used technology and research from primary sources to measure and analyze portraits, sculpture, and Washington's dentures and clothing.

The project employed proprietary age-progression and age-regression techniques to create the depictions of Washington at three stages of his life: at age 19 as a young surveyor, at age 45 as commander in chief, and at age 57 as the first president taking the oath of office. These lifelike wax figures, with real human hair that was implanted one strand at a time, are embedded in realistic settings - one even with animation - that re-create scenes in the woodsy Ohio Valley territory, in wintry Valley Forge and on the balcony of Federal Hall.

The fascinating process of creating the figures is shown in a video by The History Channel, which also produced five other videos in the exhibition. The forensic figures of Washington were created by StudioEIS, based in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Hear how Jeffrey Schwartz, professor of anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh, and his team used computer imaging and forensic techniques to help create the life-size statues of our nation's first president. Schwartz will present the program "Putting a Face on the First President" Sunday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To register, call (919) 807-7992 by Friday, Oct. 1. A reception follows the program.

"Discover the Real George Washington" was organized by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The exhibition will run through Jan. 21.

The N.C. Museum of History's hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, call (919) 807-7900 or go to ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook.