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/October 2018 newsletter (1.9 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 (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.
  Press release. Facebook event page.
  Race results from the Mississippi Track Club
  30th Annual Over the River Run High-Quality Prints
  Vicksburg Post article

• 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, October 17, 2018 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.

• 11th Annual “Classics in the Courtyard,” offering a variety of entertainment through different genres of classic music. Local entertainers and local restaurants will provide the music and lunch on Fridays from noon-1:00 p.m.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.
  Friday, October 19 – Classics Blues, Rock, Pop and Originals performed by Patrick Smith; Lunch provided by Billy’s Italian Restaurant. Facebook event page.
  Friday, October 26 – Classic Rock and Pop performed by Ben Shaw; Lunch provided by 10 South. Facebook event page.
  Friday, November 2 – Classic Pop and Country performed by Ralph Miller; Lunch provided by The Anthony. Facebook event page.
  Friday, November 9 – Classic Blues, Rock and Originals performed by Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers; Lunch provided by Goldie’s Express. Facebook event page.
  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. More.

• Grillin' with Will, Monday, October 22, 2018 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join William Furlong as he demonstrates some great grilling recipes and techniques. This workshop will be held in the SCHC courtyard. Registration is $35/members and $40/non-members. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, please contact the SCHF office at 631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Fright Night Movie Night, Thursday, October 25th, 2018 at 7 p.m. “A Nightmare on Crawford Street,” kicks off with Fright Night Movie Night.  Come get spooked out under the stars with a classic horror movie for adults in the courtyard. No need to worry about a babysitter, we've got you covered with a movie for the kids in the Academy building. We will have chairs available, but you are welcome to bring your own chairs or blankets. There will be a concession stand with food and drinks available. Tickets are $8/adults and $5/kids. For more information, please call the SCHF business office at 601-631-2997.

• Haunted Halloween Ghost Hunt with Mississippi Paranormal Society, Friday, October 26, 2018 from 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets are $60 per person. There will be a limited number of tickets available, and you must purchase tickets in advance! This is a HUGE event! “Huge” as in investigating all 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.

• Lebanese Cooking with Lana Hand, Monday, October 29, 2018 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Join us for Lebanese Cooking with Lana, a hands -on cooking experience. The class will prepare Tabooli, a delicious salad made with tomatoes, parsley, green onions, and cracked wheat. The class will also prepare Kibbee, a meat dish made with lean meat, onions, wheat, and pine nuts. 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.

• 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