The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the diverse cultural heritage of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Mississippi Delta, and the American South. The Foundation works to achieve its goals by creating and hosting cultural activities at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center.

Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary! In 1994, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation was formed to preserve these historic buildings and to direct their transformation into a cultural center. Twenty years of carrying on our mission: emphasizing the humanities and the arts, providing unique and quality programming for free or at low cost to the Vicksburg community. We celebrated 30 years on November 23, 2024. “The Landy Teller Champion for Culture & the Arts Award” for 2024 was presented at the SCHF 30th Anniversary Celebration to Landy’s son, Blake Teller! Vicksburg Post Outlook article.

• SCHF Event Calendar

• More! Activities Log of all current and past years' activities.

• The Southern Cultural Center is a GREAT venue for Rentals!

• All Eventbrite SCHF Activities.

• Facebook Events Page (must sign into Facebook to view)

• If donating items rather than money is more your jam, we have an Amazon Wish List! Thank y’all for all the support!

• Our 2024 & 2025 Activities suit many interests, and our 1999-2023 Activities are a testimony of the rich cultural heritage of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

• We're hiring!
  Maintenance Worker: This part-time position will do light maintenance/cleaning and help with setup and breakdown of events.
  To apply, please call 601-631-2997 or email stacey@southernculture.org.

• Greek-Themed Line Dance Party, Saturday, June 14, 2025 in the SCHC Auditorium. A Line Dance tutorial will be offered from 6-7 p.m., with the Line Dance Party from 7- 9 p.m. Get ready to shout “Opa!” and dance the night away at our Greek-Themed Line Dance Party! Come dressed in your best Greek-inspired attire! The cost is $10/person at Eventbrite or at the door. There will be a cash bar and concessions available. To reserve pizza for dinner, call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997.
  For more information or to get tickets, go to Eventbrite, call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997, or email info@southernculture.org. Facebook event. Press release. Buy tickets.

• 8th-Annual Star-Spangled Night Run, Saturday, June 21, 2025.
  Come join us and help us light up the night in this unique event which will include a 5K run and a 5K walk through downtown Vicksburg! It will begin and end at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. Run-Walk Trifold Entry Form.
  Registration is open now! And there are several ways to participate! Registration options are: $35 – 5K Individual Fee, $15 – 5K Kids Registration (12 & under), these fees are good through June 14th (add $5 after June 14th); 5K registrations include a Night Run T-shirt, Race Bib, Glow Item, and FREE Admission to the After-Party; $25 – Spirit Runner registration includes a Night Run T-shirt, Glow Item, & FREE Admission to After-Party; and $10 – After-Party Armband (only necessary if you are not registered for the race). The first 150 registered participants will be guaranteed a Night Run Shirt. Entry forms and complete event details are available by visiting www.southernculture.org. Entry forms and fees can be dropped off at SCHF Business Office or mailed to SCHF, 1302 Adams Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180, or you can register online at www.RaceRoster.com. Race packet pick-up will be Friday, June 20th at the SCHF Auditorium (corner of Crawford and Cherry Streets) from 3:00pm -6:00pm and before the race on Saturday at the race site starting at 6:30 pm.
  After you cross the finish line, the party begins in the SCHC Auditorium! The After-Party will include food, drinks, music, and fun for all! We will light up the night just in time for Independence Day! For FREE entry into the After-Party which includes free food and drink, runners and walkers should show their race bib and volunteers should wear their Night Run T-shirt. All others can pay $10 for an After-Party Armband for entrance to the party.
  SCHF would like to thank Visit Vicksburg, International Paper, and Bally’s Casino Vicksburg for their sponsorships of the Star-Spangled Night Run. Sponsorships are still being accepted.
  For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Register Online. Run-Walk Trifold Entry Form.

• 2025 Summer Princess Camp, June 23-27 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Making Memories to Last a Lifetime! Lana Hand will lead the camp, open to kids ages 4- 9. The registration fee is $175 per child. The camp will include crafts, dress-up, dance, music, Water Day, outdoor activities and games. Snacks will be provided. Children should bring their own lunch. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to register, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event.

• Southern Exposure Summer Camp, for nine weeks, May 27-July 25, 2025!
  The camp hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Early drop-off is available at 7:30 a.m. and pick-up through 5:15 p.m.) The camp is open to kids ages 4-11. And the registration fee is $125 per child for each week, or $115 per child for two or more children. The fee includes all supplies and a daily snack. Kids are asked to bring their lunch.
  SCHF has full day activities for your child all summer long! During this camp, children will be “exercising mind, body, and soul” as they utilize the gymnasium, art classrooms, auditorium, gardens, and media room of the SCHC to investigate southern music, gardening, art, manners, and other camp-like games and activities. Experienced and accredited teachers will plan and oversee all aspects of the camp.
  The camp sessions are as follows:
  June 9-13 Facebook event.
  June 16-20 Facebook event.
  June 23-27 Facebook event.
  June 30 - July 3 (closed on 4th) Facebook event.
  July 7-11 Facebook event.
  July 14-18 Facebook event.
  July 21-25 Facebook event.
  Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to register, call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release.

• Line Dance Practices in the SCHC Academy Dance Room. For June 2025, practices will be every Monday night at 5:30 p.m. From 5:30 to 6:15 pm, we will focus on Beginner Dances/Warm-Up. From 6:15 to 7:30 pm, we will move into more Intermediate/Advanced Dances. The upcoming schedule is June 2, 9, 23 & 30. Admission is $5/person.
  For more information call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• Salsa & Bachata Lessons at SCHC Wednesday nights! New combos each week! No partner required!
  6:30-7:15 p.m. Salsa
  7:15-8 p.m. Bachata
  $5/one lesson and $10/both. Academy Building/Dance Room. For more information call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• Southern Book Club, June 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. The Southern Book Club meets the third Wednesday of each month. There is no fee to attend and it is open to the public. For more information or meeting location, please call 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• Plant Drive! Our gardens are in need of some new plants! We will be taking donations of plants in the month of May! Plants may be dropped off at our office during normal business hours or during any Classics in the Courtyard.

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $17,600 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.65 million in grants MAC awarded in Fiscal Year 2023 and will be used to continue the mission of the SCHF and bring exceptional events and quality programming to the community through artistic excellence. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. “We are pleased to provide support to arts organizations throughout the state who inspire and serve their communities every day,” said Sarah Story, executive director of MAC. “These funds will help organizations continue to create innovative exhibitions, performances, and programming for millions of people to enjoy throughout the next year.” More. Press release.

• Violin Lessons: The SCHF offers violin lessons for all ages. Mrs. Ruthanne Schnell has taught for over 25 years. She has trained and studied under many master instructors. She is also able to teach the viola and cello. If you are interested or would like more information, please call 601-383-0796.

• More activities...

• WLBT article, Going back in time with the Sisters of Mercy, February 20, 2009.

• A memorial fund in honor of Mother Clementine Phelan and the Sisters of Mercy has been established by Mrs. Edna Henry Hosemann, Mrs. Elizabeth Henry Nelson and Mr. George Nelson, and Pat and Lance Dichter in honor of their aunt. Press release.

• Looking for that unique gift for that special someone? Consider the special Cultural Center Crosses created by Misty Clendenin. All proceeds go to support the buildings and all programs at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. The crosses are only $10 each, plus tax.

• The SCHF is an ideal place to hold weddings, receptions, performances, reunions, lectures, and business meetings. Space available for rent include the classrooms in the 1930s Academy Building and the 1880s Auditorium featuring a stage, 24-foot ceilings, and hardwood floors.

• Check out the musical montage of past programs and events held here at the Center, The Southern Cultural Experience at the bottom of this page.

Important Community links...
Vicksburg/Warren Chamber of Commerce
Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
Vicksburg Main Street
Vicksburg Theatre Guild and Gold in the Hills