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

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

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

• All Eventbrite SCHF Activities.

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

• If donating items rather than money is more your jam, we have an Amazon Wish List! Thank y’all for all the support!

• Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation $30 for 30 Years Fundraiser!! Celebrate 30 years of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation by donating 30 dollars! You can use the Facebook fundraiser or Square.
  We are currently working on several large projects!
  -Auditorium wall repairs - $22,000
  -New Roof on the Academy building - $34,000
  -Replacement of the main water line to 4 buildings - $14,000
  -New AC unit and other unit repairs - $4000
  and many more! It takes a village to keep a city block looking its best! Every little bit counts!
  All proceeds will go towards the maintenance of our five historically important buildings and towards community events.
  (This donation is separate from membership dues.)

• The 36th Annual Over the River Run, Saturday, October 12th, 2024 at 8 a.m. CST at the Old Mississippi River Bridge located at I-20 and Washington Street.
  Race results are at: https://my.raceresult.com/313428/. Facebook photos. Full-size files may be downloaded and high-quality prints may be ordered at: http://mcalnan.fotki.com/schf/otrr/otrr2024/.  More!

• Southern Book Club, October 16, 2024 at 6 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.

• 17th Annual Classics in the Courtyard. Local entertainers and local restaurants will provide the music and lunch on Fridays from noon-1 p.m. beginning October 18th and concluding November 8th, 2024. The musical entertainment is sponsored in part by a generous grant from Entergy Mississippi. The entertainment is provided for free and lunch can be purchased for $15 per person or $12 for SCHF Members. Reservations are required for lunch and must be made by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the event. There is no better beginning to the fall season than “Classics in the Courtyard”!
  The schedule of entertainment and lunch providers are listed below:
  Friday, October 18: Lee H. Abraham & The Brotherhood Band; Lunch provided by Goldie’s Express. Buy tickets. Facebook event.
  Friday, October 25: Howl & The Big Bad Wolves; Lunch provided by Tommy’s BBQ. Buy tickets. Facebook event.
  Friday, November 1: Performed by Alter Ego; Lunch provided by The Tomato Place. Buy tickets. Facebook event.
  Friday, November 8: Performed by Blackwater Trio; Lunch provided by Billy’s Italian Restaurant. Buy tickets. Facebook event.
  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.

• Halloween Dance Party, Saturday, October 19, 2024 in the SCHC Auditorium. We will do line dances of all styles including country, soul, and pop. We have a couple Halloween dances like the “Witches’ Dance” and “Thriller” that are on the playlist, as well! We can’t wait to see you! It’s also a Costume Party, with a trophy for the best costume! There will be a dance tutorial from 6-7 pm and a dance party from 7-9 pm. The cost is $10/person at Eventbrite. There will be a cash bar and concessions available. For more information or to get tickets, go to Eventbrite.com, call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997, or email info@southernculture.org. Facebook event. Press release.

• “Tunnel of Terror Haunted House” and the “It’s Fall Y’all Carnival,” Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 6-9 p.m.
  The haunted house will take you through the convent and through the creepy tunnels that line the inner courtyard of the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. It will be decorated with the things of your nightmares, surely to haunt you. Get ready for ghosts, skeletons, dolls, clowns and more as you make your way through the tunnel of terror! The carnival will take place in the courtyard on the corner of Cherry and Crawford Streets. Activities will include decorating a small pumpkin, a jump house for the kids, and all sorts of carnival games like corn hole, limbo, and more! Games will include small prizes and sweet treats! There will also be music and Triple J’s Pizza Taco will be set up on the street! Libations will be available for purchase inside the carnival!
  Tickets for the carnival only, not including entrance to the haunted house, will be $5 per person. Game tickets will be available for purchase. Tickets for the haunted house are $15 a person and include entry to the carnival for free. Buy tickets. Press release. “Tunnel of Terror Haunted House” Facebook event. “It’s Fall Y’all Carnival” Facebook event.
  Tickets will be available at the gate or online at Eventbrite.com or call the SCHF office at 601-631-2997.

• River Kids Free After School Art Program. Fall Semester began August 22, 2024. Open to any child in 1st through 6th grade, the class will meet on Thursdays from 3:45-5:00 p.m. for the thirteen-week program. 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 requires 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 SCHF business office at (601) 631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Plant Drive! Our gardens are in need of some new plants! We will be taking donations of plants in the month of May! Plants may be dropped off at our office during normal business hours or during any Classics in the Courtyard.

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $17,600 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.65 million in grants MAC awarded in Fiscal Year 2023 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. “We are pleased to provide support to arts organizations throughout the state who inspire and serve their communities every day,” said Sarah Story, executive director of MAC. “These funds will help organizations continue to create innovative exhibitions, performances, and programming for millions of people to enjoy throughout the next year.” More. Press release.

• Violin Lessons: The SCHF offers 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.

• More activities...

• WLBT article, Going back in time with the Sisters of Mercy, February 20, 2009.

• 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