THE DESOTO: Renovations 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.
2021
JUNE 10, 2021
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
DESOTO LOUNGE A STEP BACK IN TIME TO A GOLDEN AGE
The Lounge at the DeSoto Theatre has been decorated in the Hollywood Regency/Art Deco style and reminiscent of the 1940s, the era in which the lounge was built.
APRIL 16, 2021
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE:
DESOTO TO GET "GREEN" BUILDING GRANT
The Lounge at the DeSoto Theatre has been decorated in the Hollywood Regency/Art Deco style and reminiscent of the 1940s, the era in which the lounge was built.
MARCH, 2021
ROME-NEWS TRIBUNE: OUTLOOK 2021
LOOKING BRIGHT -- COMMUNITY SUPPORT ENSURES THE FUTURE OF THE DESOTO FOUNDATION
An overview of the 2020 projects and a look towards what's ahead for 2021 thanks to grants and generous donations by individuals in the community.
JANUARY 27, 2021
HOMETOWN HEADLINES:
'TONS' OF UPDATES AT THE HISTORIC DESOTO THEATRE AS TWO 20-TON UNITS ARE LIFTED BY A 70-TON CRANE
North Georgia Equipment installs the heat and air package units to go over the roof of the stage. This project was made possible thanks to a $75,000 grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts with matching funds from the community.
JANUARY 9/10, 2021
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
MATCH THE GRANT: THE DESOTO NEEDS $40,000 FOR HEAT, AIR
Despite a challenging Covid year, the DeSoto claimed several victories in 2020, including a grant for auditorium heat and air unit from the Georgia Council for the Arts. A grant by the Rome Area Heritage Foundation provided matching funds to recreate the 1940's neon lighting in the entrance lobby and lounge. The DeSoto asks the community for help matching the grants.
JANUARY 2021
V3 MAGAZINE:
PRESERVING THE PAST: ROME'S HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
The DeSoto's ongoing renovation has gotten it statewide recogniton. Read about the history of preservation in Rome and other important preservation projects.
2020
OCTOBER 24/25, 2020
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
ADDING SOME SHINE TO AN OLD GEM
The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundations two newest projects are adding shine to the DeSoto. The first is the recreation of the curved, floating banquette seat in the deSoto lounge, and the other is the installation of neon lights to recreate the lighting original to the 1940s.
OCTOBER 22, 2020
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
DESOTO THEATRE FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANT FROM THE GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundations received a $75,000 grant from the Georgia Council for the Arts to replace and relocate the auditorium's aging heat and air units. The Cultural Facilities Grant supports the restoration or renovation of a building used for arts programming.
2019
NOVEMBER 7, 2019
HOMETOWNHEADLINES.COM:
BROAD STREET, DESOTO THEATRE, REPRESENT GEORGIA IN MSN'S COLLAGE OF 'MOST BEAUTIFUL MAIN STREET IN EVERY STATE.'
DECEMBER 27, 2019
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
2019: A YEAR OF BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR DESOTO THEATRE FOUNDATION
OCTOBER 30, 2019
MSN.COM:
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MAIN STREET IN EVERY STATE
MSN.COM selects a picture of the DeSoto to represent "The most beautiful main street in Georgia." Main Street in Rome is the second-widest Main Street in Georgia. It's shopping district includes landmarks like the DeSoto Theatre and the Clock Tower.
AUGUST 5, 2019
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
PARTYING LIKE IT'S 1929 AT THE DESOTO
The line starts to form outside the theatre to recreate the line for the premiere of the 1939 film, Gone With the Wind.
July 31, 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.
FEBRUARY 3, 2019 (Part 1) & FEBRUARY 10 & 19, 2019 (Part 2)
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
MIKE RAGLAND, LOCAL COLUMNIST
Part 1: MOVING PICTURE SHOWS CAN NOW TALK
Part 2: LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES
Local columnist Mike Ragland reminisces about the history of the DeSoto Theatre and of other movie theatres in Rome that belonged to Mr. O.C. Lam. He starts with the Rome-News Tribune front page of the DeSoto's opening day ad says movies with sound was "nothing short of a revolution.
2018
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.
2016
MAY 16, 2017
GPB/NPR - ON SECOND THOUGHT (RADIO):
DESOTO THEATRE BROUGHT ROME OUT OF THE SILENT ERA
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 7, 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 11, 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 8, 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 26, 2011
ROME NEWS-TRIBUNE:
THE DESOTO IS A TREASURE, BOARD MEMBER SAYS
Through a partnership with RLT, the City f Rome, and several other organizations, the theaer has been able to begin the restoration process.
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.