THE DESOTO IN THE NEWS
Our preservation efforts are often recognized by local and regional media. Below are some of the highlights of the media coverage we have received through the years during different stages of renovation of our historic building.
NOVEMBER 7, 2019
HOMETOWNHEADLINES.COM:
BROAD STREET, DESOTO THEATRE, REPRESENT GEORGIA IN MSN'S COLLAGE OF 'MOST BEAUTIFUL MAIN STREET IN EVERY STATE.'
OCTOBER 30, 2019
MSN.COM
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAIN STREET IN EVERY STATE
Broad Street in Rome, Georgia, was selected by this national publication as the most beautiful in the state of Georgia, and a picture of its landmark DeSoto Theater was selected to represent the street and the state.
MAY 2019
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
DESOTO THEATRE HOSTS ICONIC FIRST LADIES OF SOUL AND JAZZ
Myrna Reynolds comes to the DeSoto as part of a five-city tour of Georgia sponsored in part with a grant awarded to the DeSoto by the Fox Theatre Institute, to help historic theatres revitilize communities.
MAY 2019
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
RECREATING A PREMIERE FROM 1939
MAY 2019
COOSA VALLEY NEWS.COM:
PUBLIC INVITED TO RECREATE HISTORIC DESOTO THEATRE PHOTO
The photo recreation will be followed by a “Party Like it’s 1929” reception and celebration ceremony. An excerpt from the first film shown at the DeSoto, The Rainbow Man, will be followed by a sneak peek at a locally produced film, Tate's Hell.
MAY 2019
ROME-FLOYD.COM:
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION PARTNERS WITH HISTORIC DESOTO THEATRE FOUNDATION
Experts will highlight what the future of preservation in the state will look like. Speakers include: Bettijo Cook Trawick and Rodney Mims Cook Jr., Save the Fox; Leigh Burns, Fox Theatre Institute; Sarah Rogers, GA HPD; Mark McDonald, The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation; Paul Pierce, Springer Opera House; Dr. Lydia Simpson, MTSU Center for Historic Preservation; Jessica Reynolds, DCA; and Connie Tabor, City of Toccoa. Local architect Mark Cochran will moderate the symposium.
JANUARY 2018
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
HISTORIC DESOTO THEATRE IS JEWEL OF THE ARTS IN ROME
This thorough article by RN-T's Doug Walker features the completion of the new Fire Alarm System installed with a grant from the Fox Theatre Institute and a donation from Parker FiberNet. It also summarizes several years of improvement so the DeSoto and highlights the historic theatre's importance to the arts in Rome.
NOVEMBER 2017
GPB/NPR - ON SECOND THOUGHT (RADIO):
DESOTO GETTING PRESERVATION UPGRADES
Listen to this interview with Tommy Lam, grandson of original DeSoto Theatre owner O.C. Lam, and currently an interior design advisor to the DeSoto.
NOVEMBER 2017
ENCORE ATLANTA: GROWING FOX INSTITUTE SENDS EMERGENCY FUNDS TO GEORGIA THEATRES
Growing Fox institute sends emergency funds to four Georgia theatres,and one of them is the DeSoto.
2016
DECEMBER 2016
ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE:
ATLANTA'S FOX THEATRE TO BE SUBJECT OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING DOCUMENTARY
GPB says “the story of the building itself is just as entertaining as one of the many shows the theatre hosts." The documentary includes the work FTI is doing to help restore the DeSoto and other historic theatres.
JANUARY 2016
GEORGIA TREND:
FLOYD COUNTY REINVESTMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Manufacturing, tourism and a bustling downtown: Greater Rome's Chamber of Commerce Jimmy Byars and Al Hodge mention the Chamber's annual conference, Confluence, that brings in national and international speakers to Rome’s Historic DeSoto Theatre to showcase new advances in technology and software.
2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
NEW DETAILS EMERGE WITH PAINT
Details of the DeSoto's facade emerge as the building goes back to gray, a color similar to when the marquee was added in the 1940's.
JUNE 2015
GEORGIA TREND:
SHOWTIME!
The Fox Theatre Institute is helping to revitalize communities by bringing back treasured theatres around the state.
LINK TO ARTICLE
2014
AUGUST 2014
TOP OF SHOW:
THEATRE FIRES AREN'T A THING OF THE PAST
A picture of the wires on fire on the back of the DeSto was includes as one of at least 18 theater fires this year alone.
LINK TO ARTICLE
AUGUST 2014
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BACKS DESOTO RESTORATION
The DDA approved a $2,500 Business Improvement District grant, will be part of a match for a $20,000 tourism grant from the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
JULY 2014
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
NEW CARPET IS NEXT STEP IN DESOTO RESTORATION
New carpet is the next step in the DeSoto Theatre restoration; catering kitchen and concessions are also slated for improvements
LINK TO ARTICLE.
2013
NOVEMBER 2013
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
DESOTO SEAT REMOVAL GENERATES PRICELESS MEMORIES
The old seats brought in $1250 during the successful workday and left theater ready for the installation of new seats.
NOVEMBER 2013
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
RLT TO REPLACE OLD SEATING IN DESOTO
The seats were at the theatre when RLT purchased the building from the Lam family in 1982.
OCTOBER 2013
V3 MAGAZINE (pp 38, 39, 41):
UNSILENCE OF THE LAMS
Though the years, things were patched up here and there... "But if the venue were ever to return to its former glory, a full-scale renovation would be the order of the day."
JUNE 2013
MARKETPLACE (RADIO):
HISTORIC THEATERS REOPENING
IN SMALL GEORGIA TOWNS
“When you actually see them investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in restoring something that’s intergenerational -- it’s been here for a long, long time -- so they’re investing in the culture, in the ebb and flow of the people here...” (about the DeSoto)
2012
JUNE 2012
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE (Video)
FIRE BREAKS OUT AT HISTORIC DESOTO THEATRE
The video (below) shows the fire department arriving at the DeSoto Theatre to put out flames caused by an electrical fire after a storm. Damage to the DeSoto's electrical system surpassed $40,000.
2011
JULY 2011
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
THE DESOTO IS A TREASURE
The long-awaited restoration of the facade and outer entryway begins.
MARCH 2011
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
FACADE PROJECT BEGINS AT HISTORIC DESOTO THEATRE
The long-awaited restoration of the facade and outer entryway begins.
JANUARY 2011
ROME TRIBUNE:
CHURCH BUYS PROPERTY ADJACENT TO DESOTO THEATRE
“We care about the historical significance of the DeSoto, and that’s part of the reason ...why we like buying a building that’s right next door to it and we can attach to it.” The church expected to spend close to $250,000 for renovations to the White Rabbit building on top of the $530,000 purchase price
2010
SEPTEMBER 2010
GEORGIA TREND:
RESTORING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Though the DeSoto isn't mentioned, the president of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation says, “Theaters are the centerpiece of our downtowns. We try to include a theater on our ‘Places in Peril’ list every year because all too often, as these theaters go, so go the downtowns.”
APRIL 2010
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
DESOTO RENOVATION BRINGS ACCOLADES
The Historic DeSoto Theatrer Foundation was honored by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for the foundation's efforts to renovate the DeSoto Theatre.
2009
JULY 2009
ATLANTA INTOWN:
FOX THEATRE TEACHES RESTORATION
An article about the FOX Theatre Institute highlights their role in helping the DeSoto with its vestibule restoration project.
MAY 2009
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
7 HILLS GROWING AFTER STARTING FROM SCRATCH
The church has been meeting at the DeSoto Theatre for Sunday services since 2008.
FEBRUARY 2009
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
A NEW LIFE FOR THE DESOTO
An article detailing the restoration of the vestibule, made possible by a partnership with Atlanta's Fox Theatre Institute.
OCTOBER 2008
ENCORE ATLANTA:
RESTORING GEORGIA, ONE THEATER AT A TIME
The DeSoto Theatre is mentioned as one of the 15 projects chosen by Atlanta's Fox Theatre Institute for restoration help. Nearly half of the more than 350 historic theatres that existed in the 1950's have been demolished.
JULY 2008
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
HISTORIC DESOTO GETS A MAKEOVER
The DeSoto is selected by the Fox Theatre Institute as one of 15 theatres in Georgia to receive preservation aid and operations expertise.