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.
In the fall of 2014, we celebrated with some awesome activities!

• October 2017 newsletter (1.6 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.

• 29th Annual Over the River Run (2017), Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 8 a.m. at the Old Mississippi River Bridge located at I-20 and Washington Street. This unique run follows a scenic course heading west across the Mississippi River to Delta, Louisiana and then returns back to the finish line. The event includes a 5-mile run, 5-mile walk, and a one-mile fun run for kids. More.
  Photos from the 29th Over the River Run are at http://mcalnan.fotki.com/schf/otrr/otrr2017/.
  Race results from the Mississippi Track Club
  Vicksburg Post article

• 10th Annual “Classics in the Courtyard,” Fridays October 20th through November 10th from noon-1:00 p.m. The entertainment is provided for free and lunch can be purchased for $10 per person. The musical entertainment is sponsored by a generous grant from Entergy Mississippi. Reservations are required for lunch and must be made by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the event.
  Friday, October 27 – Classics Blues, Rock, Pop and Originals performed by Patrick Smith; Lunch provided by Goldie’s Express
  Friday, November 3 – Classic Pop and Country performed by Maria Signa & Ralph Miller; Lunch provided by Gumbo Pot
  Friday, November 10 – Classic Blues, Rock and Originals performed by Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers; Lunch provided by The Anthony
  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. Facebook event page. More.

• Ballroom Dance Lessons, Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 5-6 p.m. in the academy building, presented by James Frechette, owner of Applause Dance Factory. This month’s featured dance is the "Night Club Two Step." Individuals and couples are welcome. $10 per person. For more information, please call 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• “Kids in the Kitchen” Halloween Classes, two different classes led by Margie Heltzel at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. The first class is on Monday, October 23rd from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for kids ages 4-8 (Facebook event page). The second class is on Thursday, October 26th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for kids ages 8-12 (Facebook event page). The registration fee for each class is $35 per child and includes all supplies as well as supper. 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.

• Monster Bash, Friday, October 27th at 8:00 p.m., part of “A Nightmare on Crawford Street” during October at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. Come help us raise more than the dead! There will be a DJ, food, and a cash bar with signature drinks! Come in costume! There will be a costume contest with a People's Choice Award and a Best Costume Award winning a cash prize! Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. A purchase of 8 or more tickets will reserve a table. For tickets, call the SCHF business office at 601-631-2997. Facebook event page.

• Haunted Halloween Ghost Hunt at the SCHC with Mississippi Paranormal Society, a paranormal investigation fundraising event, Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 7 p.m. - 2 a.m.  Tickets are $50 per person. There will be a limited number of tickets available. You must purchase tickets in advance! All proceeds will go to the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. This is a HUGE event! “Huge” as in investigating three buildings of the SCHC! This is the paranormal event you do not want to miss! For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page. More.

• River Kids Free After School Art Program Fall Semester began August 24, 2017. 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. It exposes creativity through drawing, painting, crafts, collage, ceramics, sculpture and many more exciting techniques. Press release. Facebook event page. More.

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). Press release. More.

• Vicksburg Slam, Vicksburg's FIRST & ONLY Circuit Race Program
  Dedicated to the success and enjoyment of the three signature Vicksburg Races: 10th Annual Chill in the Hills, January 13, 2018; 39th Annual Run Thru History, March 3, 2018; 29th-Annual Over the River Run, October 14, 2017. Be a member of the Vicksburg Slam and qualify for cash prizes after participation in all THREE races! Vicksburg Slam is made possible by partnerships of Grace Christian Counseling Center, Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the YMCA. For more info, go to the the Vicksburg Slam Facebook page.

• 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