Several items from the São José Paquete Africa, a sunken slave ship excavated off the coast of South Africa in 2015.
The wreck is owned by Iziko Museums of South Africa, and items will be on long-term loan to the NMAAHC. (
Finding a sunken slave ship, raising it, and displaying it at the museum has long been a dream of museum director Lonnie Bunch.)

Items owned by Harriet Tubman, including eating utensils, a hymnal, and a linen and silk shawl given to her by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Related items include a photographic portrait of Tubman (one of only a few known to exist), and three postcards with images of Tubman's 1913 funeral.

Ashley's Sack, a mid-1800s hand-embroidered feedsack gifted from a slave mother, Rose, to her nine-year-old daughter, Ashley, when Ashley was sold away.

A badge from 1850, worn by an African American in Charleston, South Carolina, indicating the wearer was a slave.

Feet and wrist manacles from the American Deep South used prior to 1860.

Garments worn by African-American slaves.

An 1874 home from Poolesville, Maryland.
The dwelling was constructed by the Jones family, who were freed slaves.
The Joneses later founded an all-black community nearby.

A Bible owned by Nat Turner, who led a slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831.

A letter by Toussaint L'Ouverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution slave revolt in 1791.

A money box used by Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Historic items from black Catholic communities, including the St. Augustine Church and Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans.
Several items from the São José Paquete Africa, a sunken slave ship excavated off the coast of South Africa in 2015. The wreck is owned by Iziko Museums of South Africa, and items will be on long-term loan to the NMAAHC. (Finding a sunken slave ship, raising it, and displaying it at the museum has long been a dream of museum director Lonnie Bunch.)
Items owned by Harriet Tubman, including eating utensils, a hymnal, and a linen and silk shawl given to her by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Related items include a photographic portrait of Tubman (one of only a few known to exist), and three postcards with images of Tubman's 1913 funeral.
Ashley's Sack, a mid-1800s hand-embroidered feedsack gifted from a slave mother, Rose, to her nine-year-old daughter, Ashley, when Ashley was sold away.
A badge from 1850, worn by an African American in Charleston, South Carolina, indicating the wearer was a slave.
Feet and wrist manacles from the American Deep South used prior to 1860.
Garments worn by African-American slaves.
An 1874 home from Poolesville, Maryland. The dwelling was constructed by the Jones family, who were freed slaves. The Joneses later founded an all-black community nearby.
A Bible owned by Nat Turner, who led a slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831.
A letter by Toussaint L'Ouverture, leader of the Haitian Revolution slave revolt in 1791.
A money box used by Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Historic items from black Catholic communities, including the St. Augustine Church and Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans.
National Museum of African American History and Culture