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.

• Coming soon:
  River Kids Free After School Art Program
  Classics in the Courtyard’s “Happy Hour” Concert & Fall Concerts
  Over the River Run

• June/July 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.

• SCHF Event Calendar

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

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

• The SCHF facility is open because of summer camp. However, we are still trying to minimize the number of people coming into the business office. To make an appointment, please call 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org.
  Please stay safe and healthy!

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

• 3rd Annual “Star Spangled Night Run in Vicksburg”, Saturday, June 27, 2020  at 8 p.m., beginning and ending at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. SCHF would like to thank Capital City Beverages, International Paper and WaterView Casino & Hotel for generously sponsoring the Night Run.
  All Race Results: pdf file downloads
  Overall Winners
  Vicksburg Post Photo Gallery
  Vicksburg Post Article about results
  Mississippi Race Timing photos
  SCHF Facebook photos: 5K Walk & Run, Pre-and-Post-Race Activities, Awards
  SCHF High-quality photo prints
  Vicksburg Post Article about registration
  Facebook event page
  Press release
  Race route

• “Southern Exposure” Summer Camp, June 1 - July 31, 2020. “Southern Exposure,” an All-Day Summer Camp, will be held during nine weeks of the summer, starting on June 1, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is open to kids ages 4-13. Early drop-off starts at 7:30 a.m. and pick-up is available through 5:15 p.m. The registration fee is $100 per child for each week, $90 per child special rate when you sign up for multiple weeks or for multiple children. This fee includes a $25 non-refundable fee. The fee includes all supplies and a daily snack. Kids are asked to bring their own lunch. During this camp, children will be “exercising mind, body, and soul” as they utilize the gymnasium, art classrooms, auditorium, gardens, and media room of the SCHC to investigate southern music, gardening, art, manners, and other camp-like games and activities. Experienced and accredited teachers will plan and oversee all aspects of the camp.
  The camp sessions are as follows:
  June 29 - July 2 (closed on 4th) $80/week Facebook event page
  July 6-10 Facebook event page
  July 13-17 Facebook event page
  July 20-24 Facebook event page
  July 27-31 Facebook event page
  Space is limited and reservations are required. Please make reservations two weeks prior to each week attending. For more information or to register, call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997, email info@southernculture.org,  or go to southernculture.org. Press release.
  Click here to download application form.

• “Kids in the Kitchen” Summer Camps. There will be four different sessions, all led by Margie Heltzel at the Southern Cultural Heritage Center. The four sessions are as follows:
  “Great American Road Trip” - Monday-Friday July 6th-10th from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 4-8; Facebook event page
  “Great American Road Trip” - Monday-Friday July 6th-10th from 12:30-3:30 p.m. for ages 8-12; Facebook event page
  The registration fee for each session is $125 per child and includes all supplies as well as lots of tasty treats.
  SCHF will be following all COVID-19 regulations, orders, and guidance from the Mississippi State Department of Health and CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  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.

• Southern Book Club, July 15, 2020 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.

• 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