Explore Black History

1945-1949

See more about this collection in the Smithsonian Online Virtual Archive (SOVA) here: https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAAHC.A2018.12 or contact NMAAHC Archives at nmaahc-archivalcollection@si.edu.

Scope and Contents: The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Archival Collection chronicles Harry Moore's career in civil rights and education that ultimately led to his and his wife's murder. The materials in this collection were originally located in Harry T. Moore's briefcase and are dated from 1942 to 1949.
The collection contains correspondence, memoranda, business records, ephemera, and newspaper clippings. The bulk of the material reflects Moore's work as a community leader working with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Progressive Voters League (PVL). The materials include original typed correspondence to and from Harry T. Moore as well as mimeographed letters that were saved for recordkeeping purposes. The briefcase and Moore's wallet (part of the NMAAHC Collection) were found by Harriette Moore's brother, George Simms, after the firebombing of the Moore's home on Christmas night in 1951. Both were given to the local authorities for the investigation. The briefcase was lost during the initial 1951-1952 investigations. It was found in 2006 by FBI Investigators in a barn close to the Moore's former home. The investigation was closed the same year and the briefcase and its contents were returned to the family. J. Evangeline Moore served as the steward of the collection, lending out materials to various organizations, journalists, writers, and filmmakers over the years to educate the masses about her father's work and her parents' legacy. This work continued until her death in 2015. This collection and related Moore family heirlooms were donated to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2013 and 2018, respectively.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Archival Collection

Archival Collections

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Drapher "Skip" Pagan, Jr. in memory of Juanita Evangeline Moore

National Museum of African American History and Culture

A2018.12

documents
administrative records
legal documents
correspondence
clippings

Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

1 cubic ft

Title • The Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Archival Collection

nmaahc_A2018.12

NMAAHC

THE HARRY T. AND HARRIETTE V. MOORE ARCHIVAL COLLECTION

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1940s

Florida A&M University • Bethune, Mary McLeod • White, Walter F. • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People • Progressive Voters League of Florida • Houston, Charles Hamilton • Moore, Juanita Evangeline • Bethune-Cookman University • Baker, Ella • Marshall, Thurgood • Pittsburgh Courier • Moore, Harry Tyson • Moore, Harriette Vyda Simms

Brevard County • Lake County • Sanford • United States • North and Central America • Mims • Florida • Titusville • Groveland • Cocoa • Seminole County

Justice • Activism • Law • Segregation • Violence • Resistance • American South • Discrimination • Suffrage • Education • Race • Lynching • Family • Hate crimes • U.S. History, 1945-1953 • Associations and institutions • Civil rights • Politics • Race relations

City • Cocoa • County • Brevard County • State • Florida • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Mims • City • Titusville • City • Groveland • County • Lake County • City • Sanford • County • Seminole County

Clippings (information artifacts) • Legal documents • Documents • Administrative records • Correspondence

Full text documents

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