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.

• October 2019 newsletter (1.8 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. More.
  Press release. Facebook event page.
  Run-Walk Trifold Entry Form. Online Registration.
  Corporate Team Sign-Up Run 2019. Corporate Team Sign-Up Walk 2019.
  Sponsorship Form.

• Fort St. Pierre Tercentennial Lecture Series, Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the SCHC Convent Chapel. The speaker for October will be Bill Nelson, and Bill will talk about the Jesuits from the Fort Saint Pierre time period. The Fort Saint Pierre Tercentennial Commission is presenting a year of events commemorating the founding of Fort Saint Pierre in 1719, the earliest European settlement in the Mississippi Delta. For more information, please call 601-618-3972.

• River Kids Free After School Art Program, September 12, 19, 26, 2019

• “More Than a Painting” Art Classes with Nancy Mitchell - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 from 9 a.m.–noon (Facebook event page) and Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (Facebook event page). Fall is here! Let's paint a gorgeous Spring morning to look at all Winter long! This one is in the style of French Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro. Registration is $45/SCHF Members and $50/Non-Members (includes all supplies) for each class. For reservations or more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. More.

• Southern Book Club, October 16, 2019 at 7:00 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.

• 12th Annual “Classics in the Courtyard.”  Local entertainers and restaurants will provide the music and lunch on Fridays from noon-1:00 p.m. beginning October 18th and concluding November 8th. 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. These diverse musical styles are a special treat for the Vicksburg community and we hope many will embrace and enjoy the local music and local flavor Vicksburg has to offer.
  Friday, October 18 – Classic Pop and Country Performed by Ralph Miller; Lunch provided by The Biscuit Company. Facebook event page.
  Friday, October 25 – Classic Blues, Rock, Pop and Originals Performed by Patrick Smith; Lunch provided by Billy’s Italian Restaurant. Facebook event page.
  Friday, November 1 – Classic Blues, Rock and Originals Performed by Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers; Lunch provided by The Anthony. Facebook event page.
  Friday, November 8 – Rock, Pop and Country Performed by Chad Perry; Lunch provided by Goldie’s Express. Facebook event page.
  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.

• Haunted Halloween “Monster Bash” featuring “The Chill,” October 19, 2019 from 7-10 p.m., part of “A Nightmare on Crawford Street” during October at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. A party you don’t want to miss! Come party and dance the night away! Best Costume Party in Vicksburg!! There will be frightfully delicious food, signature cocktails, and a costume contest!! Tickets are $25/person or $40/couple. A purchase of 6-8 tickets will reserve a table. For tickets, call the SCHF business office at 601-631-2997 or purchase tickets on Eventbrite.com after September 24, 2019 at 4:50 p.m. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Crafty Halloween Fun with Lana, Tuesday, October 22, 2019 from 5-7:30 p.m. Join Lana Hand for a fun-filled Halloween arts and crafts class. The class is open to kids ages 4-9. Activities will include decorating a pumpkin and creating a haunted house, making a skeleton and a spooky spider headband. The class will decorate Halloween cookies and have Halloween snacks!!! The fee is $35/child. 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 page.

• Haunted Halloween Ghost Hunt with Mississippi Paranormal Society, Saturday, October 26, 2019 from 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. “A Nightmare on Crawford Street” continues, if you dare! Tickets are $60 per person. There will be a limited number of tickets available, and you must purchase tickets in advance! All proceeds will go to the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. 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.

• “Kids in the Kitchen” Halloween Edition, Monday, October 28, 2019 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for children ages 4-12 led by Margie Heltzel, The registration fee is $35 per child and includes all supplies. 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 page.

• Lebanese Cooking with Lana, Tuesday, October 29, 2019 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for Lebanese Cooking with Lana, a hands-on cooking experience. Kibbee is a favorite Lebanese dish made from cracked wheat, ground beef, onions, pine nuts and seasonings. We will bake and fry the kibbee. The class will also make Tabooli, a delicious salad made with wheat, tomatoes, parsley and green onions; seasoned with lemon juice and olive oil. There will also be pita bread to enjoy. 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.

• 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, is seeking students 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