Next to it, we’ve recreated the suitcase with all the items he carried with him, based on this photo —signed by Tom Hanks on the very set where the scene was filmed.

Among the items you’ll find:

– The Medal of Honor presented to him by President Nixon after the Vietnam War
– The ping pong paddle
– The original Curious George book, dating from the late 1950s — the very same one seen in the movie, held by his mother in the Polaroid photo. For the director, this book was key to the story.

There are also objects that connect Forrest to key historical moments:

– An original copy of The Washington Post announcing President Kennedy’s death
– The magazines where Forrest appeared on the cover: Time, Sports Illustrated, and Fortune, where he appears wearing the cap from the shrimp company he promised to start with his friend Bubba.

You’ll also see the “Bubba Gump” shrimp company cap, the Apple letter with its envelope — because yes, Forrest became a millionaire thanks to investing (unknowingly) in Apple — and of course, one of his blue plaid shirts, like the ones he wears throughout the film. The feather, dog tags, even his original toothpaste and other personal care items are also included.

You can also see his original sneakers and shoebox, identical to the ones from the movie…

…and the Russell Stover chocolate box. But this isn’t a replica.

We contacted the American company that made the chocolates for the film… and this box is real.
Yes — the chocolates inside are real. If you get close, you can still smell the chocolate… the same one Forrest smelled.

And then, as you sit here —just like he did— you realize something:

Forrest Gump told his life story to everyone who sat beside him.

But it wasn’t just any life… it was a movie life: full of war, love and heartbreak, sports, heroes and antiheroes…

So, just like at the beginning you sat in cinema seats, now you sit on Forrest’s bench — to realize that all the movies you’ve seen today…

…in some way, are also part of your life.