Historical Buildings
T.G. Howard Community Center
Completed in 1965, the center became the epicenter for African American culture in Pulaski Virginia. The center is in the process of being renovated and a new board has started playing an active role in the community since being reestablished in 2019.
Calfee Training School
1894-1966
The Training School for young African Americans in Pulaski County. The building is in the process of being renovated to house a childcare center as well as museum.
Dr. Santa Cruz Building
Dr. Santa Cruz was the first African American dentist in Pulaski County. The building is now owned by a private citizen and has apartment living.
Pulaski Virginia
Clark's Chapel Methodist
Clark's Chapel was a prominent African American church. Two African American Congregations were later combined and the building was sold to a different religious organization.
Pulaski Virginia
Clark's Chapel original appearance on the left and what the church looks like today in 2020
Harmon Boarding House
The Harmon Home was a boarding house for African Americans. The home was purchased in 1920.
Boarding House (Present Day)
The boarding house changed owners several years ago, and is vacant at this time. The house still stands and the beautiful architecture is still evident today.
Pulaski Virginia
Completed in 1910, the United Holiness Church was one of the religious havens for many African Americans. There have been several various congregations that have utilized the building over the years.
(Right of this picture is the cornerstone and how it appears today.)
Pulaski Virginia
United Holiness Church
Mr. Frank Payne's Pool Hall
Mr. Frank Payne was a prominent African-American who had an entrepreneurial spirit. Mr. Payne was well known in the community. Mr. Payne was a Freemason, Choir member, and owned a pool hall downtown for African American patrons. The building is now owned by a plumbing business.
Pulaski Virginia
New Hope United Methodist Church New River
New Hope Methodist Church has been a beacon of faith for the African American community in New River. The building was erected in 1891 and is still in use today. There have been some various updates. Additions of bathrooms and a kitchen area were attached to the original structure.
Pulaski County
Cornerstone
William Gresham Elementary
New River
(Back Area)
William Gresham Elementary
New River
(Front Area)
William Gresham Elementary was a school that African-American students in the New River area of Pulaski County attended. The building has been used for several purposes, and now has some apartment areas inside. The building has been renovated in various areas, but the the original structure remains largely unchanged in its appearance.
Edward Long Building
(Past)
Edward Long Building
(Present)
The last remaining building of the Christiansburg Industrial Institute. The building is under renovation and will stand as a reminder of the significant role the school played in the the lives of so many young African Americans.
Christiansburg Virgina
Rockdale School
Wytheville Virginia
(Front view)
Originally an Idle school for white children, the Rockdale School was moved and placed beside the Wytheville Training School. The Rockdale School consisted of one large room and a smaller room adjacent to that area. The School is part of the Wytheville Training School Cultural Center Inc.
Rockdale School
Wytheville Virginia
(Side view)
Wytheville Training School
(Past)
Wytheville Training School
(Present)
The Training School is now a museum and cultural center that is utilized by many children and adults in the community. The museum portion of the center has an impressive collection of materials from the African American schools that existed in the Wytheville area at one time. We highly recommend that you visit the center if you have the opportunity.
Franklin Street Methodist Church
Wytheville Virgina
African American Church that was built next to the Wytheville Training School. The African American Community decided to construct the church next door and utilize the school for multipurpose events. The church is still used to this day and has had some reconstruction due to a fire many years ago.
Scott Memorial High school
Wytheville Virginia
Scott Memorial High school was constructed for African American children in 1951/1952. Scott Memorial is named after an influential African American educator. The school is still in use today, and is now the Scott Memorial Middle School.
Fred Wygal School
(Past)
Radford Virginia
Fred Wygal School
(Present)
Radford Virginia
The Fred Wygal School was an African American elementary school functioning from 1943 to 1966. The building became the administration office for the Radford School System and is still used in that capacity today.
Mt. Olivet Methodist Church
Radford Virginia
St. Luke And Odd Fellows Hall
Blacksburg Virginia
Historic Community Center in Blacksburg that was the hub of African American activity. The building has been restored and is used as an event destination.
