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)

• The Southern Cultural Heritage Center will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024 for Independence Day, but will be open the rest of the week.

• 7th-Annual Star-Spangled Night Run, Saturday, June 22, 2024. This year we started the fun with a Block Party at 6 p.m. with Keys vs Strings live music and Miller’s Southern Comfort Food. Drinks were available, and games for the kids! The race began at 8 p.m.
  SCHF would like to thank Ergon, Bally’s, Waterview Casino, and Capital City Beverages for their sponsorships of the Star-Spangled Night Run.
  Press release. Facebook event.
  Awards Photos. Block Party Photos. 5K Run/Walk Photos. Order Prints. Race results.

• Free Patriotic Concert featuring The Vicksburg Orchestral Society and The Vicksburg Chamber Choir with special guest conductor, Jace McMullin, EdD, Warren Central High School Head Band Director, Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 2 p.m. in the SCHC Auditorium. The concert is sponsored by The Four Seasons of the Arts along with the City of Vicksburg. The concert is free! Donations are encouraged. For more information call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997, or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event.

• Line Dance Practices in the SCHC Academy Dance Room. For July, 2024, practices will be every Monday night at 5:30 p.m. (except for the third Monday and holidays). From 5:30 to 6:15 pm, we will focus on Beginner Dances/Warm-Up. From 6:15 to 7:30 pm, we will move into more Intermediate/Advanced Dances. The upcoming schedule is July 1, 8, 22, & 29. We will put out a schedule for each month prior to that month. Admission is $5/person.
  Location and Parking: Please park in the Courtyard Parking lot of the Cultural Center (on the corner of Adams and Clay Streets, as soon as you turn off of Clay onto Adams, you take an immediate right where there is an entrance sign to the Cultural Center and enter the Academy Building straight ahead).
  For more information call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release.

• “Born in the USA” Line Dance Party, Saturday, July 13, 2024 in the SCHC Auditorium. We will do line dances of all styles including country, soul, and pop. We will do a few mixers, too! We can’t wait to see you!! Come dressed in favorite red, white, and blue patriotic attire and we will have some of your favorite dance songs with a “Born in the USA” theme! 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. Join us for Dance Parties on the second Saturday of each month!
  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. Press release. Facebook event.

• Southern Exposure Summer Camp, for nine weeks, May 28 - July 26, 2024!
  The camp hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Early drop-off is available at 7:30 a.m. and pick-up through 5:15 p.m.) The camp is open to kids ages 4-12. And the registration fee is $120 per child for each week, or $115 per child for two or more children. The fee includes all supplies and a daily snack. Kids are asked to bring their lunch.
  SCHF has full day activities for your child all summer long! 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:
  May 28-31 Facebook event.
  June 3-7 Facebook event.
  June 10-14 Facebook event.
  June 17-21 Facebook event.
  June 24-28 Facebook event.
  July 1-5 (closed on 4th) Facebook event.
  July 8-12 Facebook event.
  July 15-19 Facebook event.
  July 22-26 Facebook event.
  Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to register, call the Southern Cultural Heritage Center business office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release.

• 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