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.
In the fall of 2014, we celebrated with some awesome activities!

• September 2017 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.

• “Seafood Risotto” with Tom Ramsey Tuesday, September 19, 2017 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the SCHC Academy Building. Risotto is one of those dishes that looks like it should be easy to make. And actually it is... IF you know the right steps. Chef Tom Ramsey will take you step-by-step through making the ultimate in Italian comfort food, with some beautiful gulf shrimp and crab. 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. More.

• Southern Book Club Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. In September, the monthly book is The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world. 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.

• “Manners Matter” with Margie Heltzel, Sundays, September 24th and October 1st & 8th, 3rd & 4th Grade: 2-3:30 p.m. and 5th & 6th Grade: 4-5 p.m. This series of classes is designed to provide your child with the skills needed to feel self-assured and confident in any situation. Topics include table manners, manners at home, manners when out and about, writing thank you notes, honesty, integrity, and getting along with others. Registration is $125/child for four classes and includes all supplies. 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. Facebook event page.

• Ballroom Dance Lessons, Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 5-6 p.m. in the academy building, presented by James Frechette, owner of Applause Dance Factory. This month’s featured dance is the "West Coast Swing." Individuals and couples are welcome. $10 per person. For more information, please call 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org.

• 29th Annual Over the River Run (2017), Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 8 a.m. at the Old Mississippi River Bridge located at I-20 and Washington Street. This 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.
  Individual Entry Form.  Facebook event page.  Press release. Online Registration. More.

• 10th Annual “Classics in the Courtyard,” Fridays October 20th through November 10th from noon-1:00 p.m. The entertainment is provided for free and lunch can be purchased for $10 per person. The musical entertainment is sponsored by a generous grant from Entergy Mississippi. Reservations are required for lunch and must be made by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the event.
  Friday, October 20 – Americana, Celtic and Folk performed by “Full Circle” with Nicholas & Julia Blake & Joanne Ryan; Lunch provided by Billy’s Italian Restaurant
  Friday, October 27 – Classics Blues, Rock, Pop and Originals performed by Patrick Smith; Lunch provided by Goldie’s Express
  Friday, November 3 – Classic Pop and Country performed by Maria Signa & Ralph Miller; Lunch provided by Gumbo Pot
  Friday, November 10 – Classic Blues, Rock and Originals performed by Lee H. Abraham & the Boone Brothers; Lunch provided by The Anthony
  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. Facebook event page. More.

• Haunted Halloween Ghost Hunt at the SCHC with Mississippi Paranormal Society, a paranormal investigation fundraising event, Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 7 p.m. - 2 a.m.  Tickets are $50 per person. There will be a limited number of tickets available. You must purchase tickets in advance! All proceeds will go to the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation. This is a HUGE event! “Huge” as in investigating three 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.

• River Kids Free After School Art Program Fall Semester began August 24, 2017. 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. It exposes creativity through drawing, painting, crafts, collage, ceramics, sculpture and many more exciting techniques. Press release. Facebook event page. More.

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $12,000 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). Press release. More.

• Vicksburg Slam, Vicksburg's FIRST & ONLY Circuit Race Program
  Dedicated to the success and enjoyment of the three signature Vicksburg Races: 9th Annual Chill in the Hills, January 14, 2017; 39th Annual Run Thru History, March 3, 2018; 29th-Annual Over the River Run, October 14, 2017. Be a member of the Vicksburg Slam and qualify for cash prizes after participation in all THREE races! Vicksburg Slam is made possible by partnerships of Grace Christian Counseling Center, Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the YMCA. For more info, go to the the Vicksburg Slam Facebook page.

• 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