 In 1999 $25,000 was donated in the memory of Dr. Gerald M. Cathey to institute fund raising efforts for installation of an elevator.An additional $25,000 was raised over the course of the next two years through donations from benefactors and production proceeds from the Opera House Stage Company.A $50,000 matching grant from the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources resulted in the hiring of Riley Palmer Construction to complete this long desired renovation.