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.

• September 2018 newsletter (1.5 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.

• 30th Annual Over the River Run Sponsorship Opportunities: the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation is still seeking sponsorships for the 30th Annual Over the River Run, Saturday, October 13, 2018. Sponsor Application Form. Thanks to the generous sponsors who have already shown their support!

• 30th Annual Over the River Run (2018), Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 8 a.m. at the Old Mississippi River Bridge located at I-20 and Washington Street. The 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. Complimentary entertainment, fun and refreshments for all runners, walkers and volunteers will follow the race in the Ameristar Delta Point parking lot. Musical entertainment will be provided by the party band, Slaphappy. Registration is open now. More.
  For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.
  Run-Walk Individual Application Form. Online Registration. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Vendor Applications are still being accepted for 11th Annual Holly Days Arts & Crafts Show! There are still a few slots open! Download vendor application form.
  SCHF presents the 10th Annual Holly Days Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday, December 1, 2018, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Exhibit space is limited and applications must be submitted by August 31, 2018. Vendors will be notified by September 25th with an acceptance letter. Exhibit space is $50/SCHF members and $60/non-members. For more information or an application, please contact the SCHF office at 601.631.2997. Vendor press release. Facebook event page.

• Southern Book Club, September 19, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. The Southern Book Club meets the third Wednesday of each month. In September, the monthly book is The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. In their remote mountain village, Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of tea. For the Akha people, ensconced in ritual and routine, life goes on as it has for generations--until a stranger appears at the village gate in a jeep, the first automobile any of the villagers has ever seen. The stranger's arrival marks the first entrance of the modern world in the lives of the Akha people. 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.

• Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest, September 24-28, 2018. The contest is open to kids ages 11-13. Admission is free and participants are required to meet September 24-28 from 3:45- 5:15 p.m. at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. Students will be guided by art instructor Karen Biedenharn to complete their posters. Three winners will be chosen by judges for cash prizes. Posters are evaluated on the following three criteria: originality, artistic merit, and expression of the theme. All work must be original and completed only by the student participant. Art Contest prizes are 1st Prize- $75, 2nd Prize- $50, 3rd Prize-$25. Representatives from the Vicksburg Art Association will judge the works of art and winners will be announced. For more information, please call 601.631.2997. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Ballroom Dance Lessons, Sunday, September 23, 2018 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 "Rumba." Individuals and couples are welcome. $10 per person. For more information, please call 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• 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