The Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Museum in Pulaski suffered a devastating fire on November 17th and is currently evaluating damage to their building and collection and taking steps to conserve what was salvaged from their building. Quick response by Town staff saved many items that would have been completely lost. We will post further updates here as more decisions are made about when and where they will reopen.

The Pulaski Train Depot, built of native granite from the Peak Creek bed by Italian masons in 1886, is on the National Register of Historic Places. A significant effort took place in 1986 to restore the Pulaski Depot which now serves as the home of the Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Museum and the Greater Pulaski Alliance, Inc.

The Town, which according to its historical marker, "was founded at the coming of the railroad," was a booming industrial center by the late 1880's. The proximity of coal lead to the development of foundries and the smelting of minerals. Later economic cycles saw the emergence of consumer industries such as textiles and furniture making. The Town of Pulaski also played an important role as a retail and entertainment center for Southwest Virginia.

The Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Museum offers a display of the history and culture of the Pulaski area. The Museum's artifacts include historic photographs, items from the founding industries and the Town's railroad past, newspapers chronicling important events locally and nationally, and a model railroad display.