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 Complex.

 Our upcoming activities suit many interests, and our past activities are a testimony of the rich cultural heritage of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Our 20th 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.

• August 2019 newsletter (2.1 MB Adobe Reader file)

• SCHF Event Calendar

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

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

• 31st Annual Over the River Run (2019), Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 8 a.m. at the Old Mississippi River Bridge located at I-20 and Washington Street. For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.
  Facebook event page.
  Run-Walk Individual Application Form. Online Registration.
  Corporate Team Sign-Up Run 2019. Corporate Team Sign-Up Walk 2019.
  Sponsorship Form.

• Vendor Applications are being accepted for 12th Annual Holly Days Arts & Crafts Show! Download vendor application form. Applications must be turned in by September 6, 2019. Vendors will be notified by September 25th with an acceptance letter. Vendor press release. Facebook event page. More.

• River Kids Free After School Art Program. There are still a few slots open! Registration is ongoing for this free after-school art program. Fall Semester begins August 22, 2019. Open to any child in 1st through 6th grade, the program accepts 60 students for the class on Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. for the thirteen-week program. The program is free, but requires a full semester commitment from the parents. It is filled on a first come, first served basis. To register, call the SCHF business office at (601) 631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page. More.

• Ballroom Dance Lessons, Sunday, August 25th from 5 to 6 p.m. in the academy building, presented by James Frechette, owner of Applause Dance Factory. This month’s featured dance is the “East Coast Swing.” Individuals and couples are welcome. The fee is $10 per person. For more information, please call 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• Lebanese Cooking with Lana, Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for Lebanese Cooking with Lana, a hands-on cooking experience. The class will prepare Stuffed Squash, fresh squash stuffed with a rice and meat mixture and then cooked in a tomato sauce. The class will also prepare Cabbage Rolls, individual cabbage leaves filled with meat and rice and cooked in water and lemon. Registration is $35/SCHF Members and $40/Non-Members and includes all supplies. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• New! By popular demand: To kick off our 25th-Anniversary year, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation is extremely proud to present Classics in the Courtyard’s “Happy Hour.” SCHF and our community always look forward to our original Classics in the Courtyard concert series in the fall. Now you can enjoy our courtyard concerts in the summer, too! This series will include a concert, food, and drinks one Thursday night each month for the months of June, July, August and September. The concerts will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on those Thursdays. There is no cover charge! Food and drink will be available for purchase. The line-up is as follows:
  Thursday, September 5 – Jason Turner Band; food provided by FitChef Facebook event page
  For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.
  Press release
  June 6, 2019 Photos

• Tailgating Cooking Workshop with William Furlong, Monday, September 9, 2019 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join William Furlong as he demonstrates clever tailgating ideas and recipes. You will enjoy your own “Tailgate” during the class as you take part in creating these special recipes. Be sure to bring a friend and your school spirit and enjoy this fun-filled class. A prize will be given to the individual with the best school spirit. Registration is $35/members and $40/non-members. Reservations are required. For more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $11,400 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.4 million in grants the Commission will award in 2019-2020 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. Among the numerous activities scheduled throughout the year, these funds are vital in supporting the River Kids free after school art program, a variety of concerts, workshops, lectures, exhibits and the many other events and programs that are instrumental in growing the awareness of the arts to the Vicksburg community and surrounding areas. Press release. For information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Anna Ehrgott, Communications Director, 601.359.6546 or aehrgott@arts.ms.gov. More.

• More activities...

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

• Guitar & Ukulele Lessons. Richard McComas, SCHF guitar instructor, has some openings for guitar lessons. If you are interested or would like more information, please call 601-529-6505. (Inquire about special discounts for SCHF Members.)

• Violin Lessons. The SCHF is now offering 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.

• 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