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!
The Gospel Truth... Sunday Brunch with The Patrick Smith Band…Celebrating 20 years at SCHF, Sunday, October 12th, 2014. More.
SCHF Annual Meeting with speaker, Bill Ferris, Thursday, November 13, 2014. More.
Movie Night, showing O Brother, Where Art Thou?, on the very stage on which it was filmed! Saturday, November 22, 2014. More.

• December-January 2014 printable newsletter (1.2 MB Adobe Reader file)

• SCHF Event Calendar

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

• Spring Semester Registration now open for The River Kids Free After-School Art Program
  The River Kids Free After-School Art Program Spring Semester will begin on January 29, 2015. Open to any child in 1st through 6th grade, the program will accept 60 students for the class on Thursdays from 3:45 to 5:00 pm through April 23, 2015. It will expose creativity through drawing, painting, crafts, collage, ceramics, sculpture and many more exciting techniques. Experienced and accredited educators Karen Biedenharn and Regina Renot Mattei plan and teach each class. The program is free, but will require a full semester commitment from the parents. It will be filled on a first come, first served basis. To register, call the SCHF business office at (601) 631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Ballroom Dance Lessons, Sunday, January 25th from 5-6 pm in the academy building, presented by James Frechette, owner of Applause Dance Factory. This month’s featured dance is the East Cost Swing. Individuals and couples are welcome. $10 per person. For more information, please call 601.631.2997.

• Basic Yeast Breads Workshop, Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Lisa and John Martin will present the beginning basics of bread making. Discussion of the necessary ingredients for bread making will focus on flour and yeast. Start to finish preparation of a yeast sandwich bread. Lagniappe: quick and easy crostini toppings. This is the first of three classes. Registration for the first class 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.

• Cooking for Couples Workshop with William Furlong, Monday, February 2, 2015 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Simple, elegant recipes for two with the aim of turning the routine daily task of making dinner into a relaxing and romantic bonding experience. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the workshop is designed for all the busy working couples out there who find themselves with limited time for just about everything – including fixing dinner and for spending quality moments with each other. Registration is $50/couple SCHF members and $55/couple 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 Than a Painting” Workshop for Couples with Nancy Mitchell, Wednesday, February 4, 2015 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Create a painting while learning facts about the world's most famous artists. Couples will be painting in the style of Claude Monet. Registration is $70/per couple for SCHF members and $80/per couple for Non-members (includes all supplies). For reservations or more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• “More Than a Painting” Workshop with Nancy Mitchell, Thursday, February 5, 2015 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. You will create a painting while learning facts about the world's most famous artists. This class will be painting in the style of Georges Braque. Registration is $40/SCHF Members and $45/Non-Members (includes all supplies). For reservations or more information, please contact the SCHF office at 601.631.2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• Kids Mardi Gras Mask Workshop with Karen Biedenharn, Friday, February 6, 2015 from 4-5:15 p.m. Join us to create a fun and colorful mask before enjoying the parade the next day in downtown Vicksburg. The workshop is a great way for kids to celebrate the Mardi Gras holiday in a fun and creative way. Registration is $10/per child (ages 6 and up). Space is limited. For reservations or more information, please call the SCHF business office at 601-631-2997 or email info@southernculture.org. Press release. Facebook event page.

• The 4th Annual Carnaval de Mardi Gras & Gumbo Cook-Off, Saturday, February 7, 2015, from 5-9 p.m. presented by the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation (VFHP). The VFHP is accepting teams for the gumbo cook-off now. In addition to bragging rights and trophies, the first place winner will be awarded a $200 cash price. The entry fee for the cook-off is $50 prior to January 30 and includes admittance for three team members to the carnival. Admission is $10 for adults and includes gumbo and $5 for children and includes unlimited children’s activities. Admission may be paid at the door or purchased in advance at the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum on Washington Street. Additional food items and beverages may be purchased during the event. All proceeds will benefit the VFHP. For more information about the event or about the Gumbo cook-off, please visit www.facebook.com/vicksburg.mardi.gras or contact Nancy Bell at 601.636.5010 or vburgfoundation@aol.com or Event Chair, Alainna O’Bannon at alainnaobannon@gmail.com. Press release.

• The Southern Book Club, Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00p.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.

• Italian Cooking with Chef Tom Ramsey, Monday, February 23, 2015 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. How to make homemade pasta and a classic pesto sauce. 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.

• SCHF Receives Mississippi Arts Commission Grant. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has been awarded a $18,000 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC). This grant is a portion of the $1.34 million in grants the Commission will award in 2014-2015 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 performances, workshops, exhibits, and the many other events and programs that are so important in growing awareness of the arts to the community and surrounding areas. Press release

• SCH Auditorium Exterior Project & Stabilization project: $6,640 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 $31,360 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.

• 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!!

• 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.

• 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