‘Black Panther’ Suit Worn by Late Actor Chadwick Boseman To Be Displayed at National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian will soon display the suit worn by Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther. According to the Smithsonian, the suit will be included in the exhibition “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” in March 2023.

The exhibition seeks to elevate stories by using objects that speak to social equality and the liberation of Black people. The Black Panther costume worn by the first Black superhero in mainstream American comics will be one of the highlights of the exhibition.

“On March 24, 2023, our museum will debut a major, thought-provoking exhibition, ‘Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures.’ One of the highlights of this new exhibition will be the #BlackPanther hero costume worn by the late Chadwick Boseman, pictured here. #NMAAHCFutures.”

On March 24, 2023, our museum will debut a major, thought-provoking exhibition, "Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures."

One of the highlights of this new exhibition will be the #BlackPanther hero costume worn by the late Chadwick Boseman, pictured here. #NMAAHCFutures pic.twitter.com/F3egfe3kGw

— Smithsonian’s NMAAHC (@NMAAHC) November 9, 2022

The temporary 4,300-square-foot exhibition will also include the uniform worn by the late Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Nyota Uhura in Star Trek, the typewriter used by science-fiction writer Octavia E. Butler, and the spacesuit-inspired costume worn by LaBelle singer Nona Hendryx.

The exhibition will also include the aviation suit worn by Trayvon Martin at Experience Aviation as he followed his dream of becoming an astronaut. Martin was murdered in 2012 as he walked home from the store.

Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, said the museum is honored to incorporate the joy of an imagined future in the face of injustice.

“Trayvon Martin’s flight suit tells the story of a dream of space flight ended tragically by earthbound violence,” said Young. “We are honored to tell more of Trayvon’s story, exploring his love of flight and mechanics and his fondness for science and technology. Afrofuturism charts the joy of a rich, imagined future, often in the face of injustice.”

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is located in Washington, D.C. next to the Washington Monument. The exhibit will be on display through March of 2024.