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! 20 years ago, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation was formed to preserve these historic buildings and to direct their transformation into a cultural center. 20 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.
Help us celebrate with some awesome activities this fall! Save the Dates for:
October 12, 2014: Sunday Gospel Brunch featuring Patrick Smith with tours of the five historic SCHF buildings
November 13, 2014: SCHF Annual Meeting with speaker, Bill Ferris
November 22, 2014: Movie Night, showing O Brother, Where Art Thou?, on the very stage on which it was filmed!

• July 2014 printable newsletter (416 KB Adobe Reader file)

• SCHF Event Calendar

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

• The 7th Annual Holly Days Arts & Crafts Show vendor deadline is August 15th. Download vendor application form. Press release. Facebook event page. Holly Days will be held December 6, 2014 in the historic 1885 SCH Auditorium.

• 26th Annual Over the River Run, Saturday, October 11, 2014. Online Registration Form. Printable Registration Form.

• Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest Winners Announced! 1st Place: Alston Harris, 2nd Place: Matthew Turnage, 3rd Place: Victoria Gong. Congratulations to the winners and to all participants for a great contest!!! The posters will be on display now through August 3rd, 2014, at the Vicksburg Mall. Participants may pick up their posters from SCHC, starting on August 5th, 2014. For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601.631.2997. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Quickbooks Payroll Workshop with Karen Jones and Patsy Counts of May & Company, Thursday, August 21st from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the SCHC. You will learn all you need to know so that you can master QuickBooks Payroll. Registration is $30/SCHF members and $35/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.

• Gourmet Meals in Minutes with Chef William Fulbright, Tuesday, August 26th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Chef Fulbright brings more than 24 years of culinary experience to his new post as Executive Chef at Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg. Registration is $30/SCHF members and $35/non-members and includes all supplies. Space is limited and reservations are required. For more information, please call the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation presents the 7th Annual Holly Days Arts and Crafts Show Saturday, December 6, 2014 in the historic SCH Auditorium from from 9:00am-3:00pm. Admission to the show is $1. Holly Days will feature an assortment of vendors showcasing their products plus local talent will entertain the attendees. Press release. Facebook event page.

• SCH Auditorium Exterior Project & Stabilization project: $9,084 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 $28,916 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 has been awarded a $18,000 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). The funds 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 so very grateful for the support of MAC!!!

• Hobbs Freeman Arts and Nature Celebration and Festival was Saturday, November 3, 2012
  What a day!! Don't know where to even start!! Attendees, speakers, bands, performers, volunteers... What a fabulous festival!!! Thank you!!!!!!!! The Hobbs Freeman arts and nature Festival was a HUGE success!!

• Vicksburg/Warren County Chamber Leadership Team picks the SCHF.
  One of the Vicksburg/Warren County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Teams choose a beautification project for the SCHF as their community project for the 2011-2012 year. The project involves replacing the handicap ramp in the Cherry Street courtyard area and general clearing and cleaning the area. They greatly appreciate your help in making this project a success! Click HERE to find out more.

• 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 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 or email mccomasmusic@hotmail.com.

• 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.

• River City Wrestling. Submission Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts, Kids Wrestling, Cardio Kickboxing, Fight Fitness. Head Trainer Kelly Leo, Pro MMA Fighter, 601-717-2208, Southern Cultural Heritage Center Gymnasium, 1302 Adams Street.

• 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