Your gift to the Annual Fund will help us continue many important restoration and maintenance projects that benefit our iconic historic building as well as the arts in Rome.
Some of the current projects are: insulating the roof deck and air sealing the building for energy conservation; installing LED lights where appropriate; adding a future backstage entrance with a roll-up door and loading dock; and on-going maintenance such as for roof, electrical, and sewage and plumbing projects, crucial to a 93-year-old building.
Scroll to the end of this page to see the current list of Annual Fund Donors.
OUR WORK HAS CONTINUED!
We want to let you know about ALL THE exciting projects THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AT THE DeSoto!
YOUR GENEROSITY has helped us continue to work behind the scenes this difficult year.
YOUR GENEROSITY is helping us match local, state and regional grants to complete amazing projects that make all of us proud.
YOUR GENEROSITY is helping us restore the Jewel of Broad Street to its original spendor.
winter/spring 2022
ENERGY SAVINGS FOR A "GREENER" DESOTO
Atlanta-based Southface Institute, a national environmental non-profit, awarded the DeSoto Theatre a $30,000 grant in Spring 2021 for technical assistance and energy-savings projects to make the DeSoto's historic 1929 stucture a "greener" building. With environmental upgrades carefully identified, prioritized and funded by Southface, the DeSoto will be able to reduce its energy costs and redirect those funds to ongoing restoration efforts and core programming. The 2:1 match grant requires that DeSoto contribute a $15,000 match in funds raised from the community.
In consultation with Southface, Energy Consulting Services in Atlanta was hired in the fall of 2021 to insulate, air seal and weatherize the historic DeSoto Theatre. As a way to highlight Southface's new commitment to help historic theatres, the non-profit was going to feature the Historic DeSotoTheatre Foundation in partnership with Rome Little Theatre at Southface's annual fall fundraising gala in Atlanta. Cancelled due to a surge in Covid cases, the gala was to feature RLT actors helping provide the evening's entertainment in front of a large audience from Atlanta's business and philanthropic community. Southface is currently in the process of interviewing several DeSoto and community members, filming a piece about the direct benefits that their energy conservation will provide to the arts.
FALL 2021
CONCESSIONS LOUNGE FURNITURE
Thanks to a generous donation from Romans Linda and Jim Owens, and in preparation for numerous concerts and holiday events, the Concessions Lounge is now beautifully furnished with consoles, chairs and wall hangings. The center of the room is open for concessions lines and community gatherings.
JUNE 2021
FURNISHINGS FOR THE STYLISH DESOTO LOUNGE
We are thankful to life-long Roman Villa Sulzbacher Hizer for her impactful legacy gift earmarked towards beautifying the front rooms of the DeSoto. Her gift this year allowed us to add the beautiful period antique furniture and reproductions that complement the custom-made, curved, floating bench that she helped fund in 2020.
The beautiful new look for the lounge came together thanks also to the vision and generosity of interior designer Tommy Lam. With an uncanny ability to remember every detail of what his grandfather O.C. Lam's theater used to look like, Tommy brought the 1940s Art Deco Lounge back to life.
The most stylish room in town is now the DeSoto Lounge! We are excited to welcome back the re-created style and sophistication of the Jewel of Broad Street during the glamorous Hollywood Regency era!
January 2021
New auditorium heat and air units, thanks in part to a GCA $75,000 grant
We're honored to have won a competitive, state-wide grant in Fall 2020 that helped us replace and relocate the auditorium's hvac units. The timing could not have been more perfect, as air filtration and ventilation especially in public places take on new, critical importance in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Winning the Georgia Council for the Arts Cultural Facilities Grant reinforces the importance of the DeSoto and other arts and culture facilities to serve as economic engines for their communities. Completed successfully, the GCA grant opens the doors to additional grants and projects that may have an even bigger impact. But we need your help! A 60/40 grant means that our community must have a buy-in into the project. With your donations and by helping us spread the word, you can help us raise $40,000 to complete this important $115,000 project.
october 2020
Historic recreation of the curved, floating banquette seat in the DeSoto Lounge
We are fortunate to have details of a leather banquette in the original plans of the 1940s addition of the Art Deco Lounge. But, we’re even more fortunate to have Villa Sulzbacher Hizer as the wonderful donor who made this project possible! Please thank Villa for spearheading the completion of the DeSoto Lounge's restoration, first with the sophisticated banquette and later with the glamorous period furniture.
august 2020
Historic recreation of the Art Deco neon lights
The neon lights that used to illuminate the DeSoto’s entrance lobby and Lounge are back! As with the banquette, this work was also based on the original plans for the 1940s addition. The recreation of the neon lights was possible thanks to two matching grants awarded to the DeSoto by the Rome Area Heritage Foundation. Thanks to this group's support of historic preservation, a modern version of neon now highlights the theater’s distinctive architectural features with a vintage glow. Our favorite? The neon behind the curved banquette that will illuminate the curved wall behind it!
Thank you for the funds and support that you continue to contribute to the restoration of the DeSoto! We have, of course, been continually updating and maintaining the electrical, plumbing, roof, and other important "behind the scenes" improvements for which we don't have Instagram-worthy pictures. But none of these less exciting OR new, more exciting projects would be possible without your help and generosity.
We have missed you and hope to celebrate these beautiful Art Deco renovations soon, while also enjoying the coolness of the new auditorium hvac units and new energy projects. Meanwhile, follow our progress from a safe distance here on our website, and on social media Instagram & Facebook throughout the year!
Want to help in our efforts?
Click on the button to donate towards these projects
OUR STAGE, SEATS, DOORS, AND HEARTS have been WAITING FOR YOU!
The DeSoto Theatre was closed for large gatherings for over a year due to the Covid 19 pandemic. But we're happy to report that, following all state guidelines and CDC protocols, we have been able to reopen for plays, concerts, gatherings and rentals.
We look forward to the fall when we will start our seasons with a full schedule, and our performers can bring joy to our audiences and our community once again through arts and entertainment.
Meanwhile, please consider renting the DeSoto, especially now that our DeSoto Lounge is the fanciest room in town! Our venue is perfect for your business meetings, bridal or baby shower, birthdays, anniversaries, and small weddings. Our auditorium is perfect for holding business meetings and showing presentations, or even for watching a movie with a group of friends.
Our thoughts, prayers, and love go to everyone as our world continues to recover fromm this unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic.
Thank you for your continued support of the DeSoto and the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation.
FOX THEATRE INSTITUTE AND THE DESOTO
The DeSoto is honored to be only one of three theatres featured in Atlanta's Fox Theatre Institute's 10th Anniversary movie. We're thankful for FTI's mentorship and support as they continue to engage with us and other historic theatres, "helping revitalize communities one theater at a time."
About the Historic DeSoto Theatre
Help us Keep the Jewel of Broad Street Shining Bright.
Please donate to our Annual Fund. Your donations not only help us to complete the restoration of this cherished landmark, but will transform the DeSoto once again into a modern performance venue able to attract world-class acts to Rome.
DONATION LEVELS:
Marquee $5,000 and up
Facade $2,500 - $4,999
Medallion $1,000 - $2,499
Bricks & Mortar $500 - $999
Foundation $250 - $499
Ground Breaker $100 - $249
