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.

• SCHF Event Calendar

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

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

• The Southern Cultural Center is a GREAT venue for Rentals!

• Fall 2020 newsletter (1.5 MB Adobe Reader file).
  If you would like to discontinue receiving the printed SCHF newsletter and only receive the electronic newsletter, please call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• The 10th Annual Carnaval de Mardi Gras & Gumbo Cook-Off, Cancelled due to COVID restrictions Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 5-8 p.m. presented by the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation (VFHP) at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. Cajun Gumbo Cook-off, Live Music, Dancing, Food, Drinks, Children's Activities and more! Admission: Adults - $10 (includes gumbo); Kids - $5 (includes all kids’ activities). For more information, call 601-636-5010 or visit www.facebook.com/vicksburg.mardi.gras. All proceeds benefit the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.

• River Kids Free After-School Art Program. The spring semester will begin on January 28, 2021. Open to any child in 1st through 6th grade, the class will meet on Thursdays from 3:45-5 p.m. for the thirteen week program. Our numbers will be limited this semester due to the COVID-19 regulations. SCHF will be following all COVID-19 regulations, orders and guidance from CDC. Space is limited and reservations are required.
  The River Kids Program is designed to encourage children to discover and develop their creative talents. It will expose creativity through drawing, painting, crafts, collage, ceramics, sculpture and many more exciting techniques. Experienced and accredited educators plan and teach each class. The program is free, but will require a full semester commitment from the parents. It will be filled on a first come, first served basis. This free after-school program is 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 the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation individual and corporate members, the City of Vicksburg, and various appropriations. To register, call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at (601) 631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press Release. Facebook event page.

• The “Landy Teller Champion for Culture and the Arts Award” for 2020 was presented to David Clement at the SCHF November board meeting. David is a restoration architect. He received a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Architecture (Historic Preservation) both from Texas State University. David is very involved in the preservation of the Vicksburg community. He is the vice-chairman for the City of Vicksburg Board of Architecture Review, he is a member of the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation, and he has also served on the City of Vicksburg Zoning Board, to name a few. David has been vital in many of our restoration projects here at SCHC for many years. Some of those projects made possible through grants from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, include the Cobb House Restoration, the Auditorium Interior/Exterior Renovations, the SCHC Roof Project, and most recently the Convent Exterior Rehabilitation Project. David prepared drawings and plans for all of these projects. We appreciate David Clement so much, and we were thrilled to present to him "The Landy Teller Champion for Culture and the Arts Award."

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Humanities Council CARES Emergency Gant, September 25, 2020. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation (SCHF) has received a $10,000 grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council as part of the CARES Act funding through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant awarded to the SCHF will be used to continue the mission of the SCHF and bring exceptional events and quality programming to the community through artistic excellence. For more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release.

• Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation receives MAC Cares Emergency Grant from Mississippi Arts Commission! The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $4,800 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). 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. For information about the Mississippi Arts Commission, please contact Anna Ehrgott, Communications Director, 601-359-6546 or aehrgott@arts.ms.gov. Press release.

• 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