Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation celebrates its 25th year

For just under 25 years, the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation has dedicated itself to preserving the diverse cultural heritage of Vicksburg, Mississippi, the Mississippi Delta and the American South. It preserves “historic buildings for future generations” says SCHF Director Stacey Massey.

Housed in a historic building itself, the SCHF plays host to numerous lectures, events, music and art programs. and the building was named a Mississippi landmark by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

 As the foundation celebrates a quarter century, Massey is excited to share some of the upcoming events that SCHF is hosting.

Event hosted monthly by the SCHF in celebration of its 25th anniversary year.

“We’ve designated this year as our 25th anniversary celebration year and kicked it off with our Classics in the Courtyard Happy Hour Concert Series. It started in June, and we’ve had a concert one Thursday night each month, and just had our August concert on the 1st.

“We’ll be having another one on September 5th. The music is free but if you’d like to eat or have a drink, you pay for your food.”

In addition to the Classics in the Courtyard, the SCHF is planning other celebratory events, including a showing of the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” which featured the foundation’s historic structure at 1302 Adams St. in Vicksburg.

You’ll find a number of other happenings on the SCHF website, including kid’s events, lectures, classes and news.

Massey encourages those interested in attending these events to follow the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation on Instagram @thesoutherncultural and liking the foundation’s Facebook page .

The Foundation has been dedicated to embracing the arts and humanities since it opened as the St. Francis Xavier Convent and Academy years ago.

Today, the SCHF is always exploring new ways to benefit the community, but it needs the help of its neighbors to continue to do so. With a limited staff, the foundation relies on volunteers to help with events and memberships, and to secure grants and donations.

“There are only two of us on staff and it gets pretty difficult to run these events with just two people, and so we are extremely grateful for our volunteers who are mostly members here,” Massey said. “We are a nonprofit so we focus on those memberships, donations and grants to continue to be able to have these events.”

If you or anyone you know has an interest in volunteering or becoming involved with the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation, contact the office during regular business hours at (601)-631-2997.