Dr. Aaron Moore - Lasting legacy in Durham, NC - Found and Returned!

Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore was a man who made an impact on his community.

Born: 6 Sep 1863 in North Carolina

Died: 29 Apr 1923 in Durham, North Carolina

Dr. Moore was born to free parents in 1863 and worked on the family farm in his early life. He graduated from Shaw University's Leonard Medical School and became first black physician in 1888. Dr. Moore, along with other prominent black men, also founded North Carolina Mutual Insurance Company in 1898. With an endowment from Washington Duke, Dr. Moore founded The Lincoln Hospital in 1901 alongside Dr. Standford Warren and John Merrick. He founded the Durham Colored Library in 1916 when he borrowed space in the basement of White Rock Baptist Church three years earlier. The four-block area in which the businesses were located became known as Black Wall Street in Durham, North Carolina.

Dr. Moore's daughter, Lyda, would later marry one of John Merrick's sons and make significant contributions to her community, following in her father's footsteps. His daughter, Maddie, married a prominent banker and founder of many businesses in the Durham area.

1888 - First black doctor in North Carolina

• Graduate of Shaw University's Leonard Medical School

1898 - Founded North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company

• Alongside 6 other organizers included Charles C. Spaulding and John Merrick

• Reorganized in 1900 with Dr. Moore, Charles Spaulding, and John Merrick remaining as original founders

1901 - Founded Lincoln Hospital

• Founded with John Merrick

1913 - Founded a Durham Colored Library / Stanford Warren Library

• Originally located in the basement of White Rock Baptist Church

• Dr. Moore and John Merrick opened the Durham Colored Library on the corner of Fayetteville and Pettigrew streets in 1916

• After Dr. Moore's death, a new building was built in 1940 with financial support from the community, North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, and Stanford L Warren for whom the library is named

Dr. Moore is truly an inspiration for growing and supporting your community.