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.

• November 2018 newsletter (1.7 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.

• 11th Annual “Classics in the Courtyard,” offering a variety of entertainment through different genres of classic music. Local entertainers and local restaurants will provide the music and lunch on Fridays from noon-1:00 p.m.The musical entertainment is sponsored by a generous grant from Entergy Mississippi. The entertainment is provided for free and lunch can be purchased for $10 per person. Reservations are required for lunch and must be made by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the event.
  Friday, November 9 – Classic Blues, Rock and Originals performed by Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers; Lunch provided by Goldie’s Express. Facebook event page.
  This wonderful program is also supported in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the generous support of Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation individual and corporate members, the City of Vicksburg, and various appropriations.
  For more information or to make reservations for lunch, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. More.

• Southern Book Club, November 14, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Southern Book Club meets the third Wednesday of each month. In November, the monthly book is Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. 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. More.

• SCHF Annual Meeting & Luncheon with guest speaker Malcolm White, Friday, November 16th at noon. Tickets are $20/person and reservations must be made in advance. Lunch will be catered by Gumbo Pot. Malcolm White leads the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) as Executive Director. Additionally, SCHF is very proud to present the second annual “The Landy Teller Champion for Culture and the Arts Award.” In 2016, an anonymous gift was made in memory of Landy Teller. This gift was meant to start an endowment that would fund an award to be presented to an individual who contributes to culture and the arts in Vicksburg. This award will be presented at the annual meeting. For more information or to make reservations, please call the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page. More.

• SCHF Closed, November 21- 23, 2018

• Lebanese Cooking with Lana Hand, Tuesday, November 27, 2018 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for Lebanese Cooking with Lana, a hands -on cooking experience. The class will prepare Spinach Pies--homemade dough filled with spinach, green onions, lemon juice, and olive oil. The class will also prepare Grape Leaves. Grape Leaves are filled and rolled with meat and rice and cooked in lemon water. 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.

• 10th Annual “Holly Days” Arts and Crafts Show Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the historic SCH Auditorium. Admission is $2. “Holly Days” will feature a room full of quality vendors showcasing their arts and crafts, plus local talent will entertain the attendees. This event will precede Vicksburg Main Street’s Annual Christmas Parade of Lights at 5 p.m. The live entertainment will include RiverPointe Dance Students (9-9:45 a.m.), Denise Ragsdale Music Students (10-10:45 a.m.), Jeanne Evans Music Students (11-11:45 a.m.), Debra Franco Preparatory School of Dance (noon-12:45 p.m.), and more. For more information, call the SCHF Business Office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• Lebanese Cooking with Lana Hand, Monday, December 3, 2018 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for Lebanese Cooking with Lana, a hands -on cooking experience. Baklava--a sweet dessert made with phyllo dough, pecans, and sugar; dipped in a sugar syrup. The class will also make Honey cakes--a sweet dessert made with butter and cream cheese dough and filled with pecans, honey and sugar. 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.

• River Kids Free After School Art Program. The program is full for the fall, but a waiting list is being maintained. The fall Semester began August 30, 2018. 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. To register, call the SCHF business 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 $17,400 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.4 million in grants the Commission will award in 2018-2019 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. These funds are vital in supporting the River Kids free after school art program, the huge 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.

• SCH Auditorium Exterior Project & Stabilization project: $4,775 STILL NEEDED!
  This project is made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Department of Archives & History of $150,000 with required matching funds of $38,000.
  We have raised $33,225 toward the $38,000 needed for the matching funds. Because we have yet to raise the remaining funds, we are forced to use our general fund.
  We are STILL accepting contributions toward this project. REMEMBER: contributions of $50/or more will be listed on a plaque that will be permanently located in the foyer of the Historic Auditorium
  Check out photos of the progress...
  Checks need to made out to the SCHF (write MDAH grant in the memo of your check) and send to 1302 Adams Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180. Your donation is tax deductible.

• The SCHF needs your help!!!
  As with old buildings/structures, there is always something that needs repairing. That being said, the SCHF is in desperate need of your help!!!  Because of the age of the water pipes underground of the cultural center, there have been several leaks discovered.  The repair cost is estimated at $13,000.  This was a very much unexpected problem.
  If you would like to assist financially with this issue, checks need to made payable to the SCHF (write “Water Leak” in the memo of your check) and send to 1302 Adams Street, Vicksburg, MS   39180.  Your donation is fully tax deductible.
  We so appreciate your support!!!!!!

• 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