$800,000 challenge grant issued

An anonymous benefactor has issued an $800,000 challenge grant to create an endowment for the preservation of Winnie Davis Hall of History.

After the building fell into disrepair, Limestone College closed Winnie Davis for safety reasons in 1977. The college started a $4 million capital campaign in January to restore the building.

The challenge grant is an addition to the Winnie Davis capital campaign, Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin said. Pledges to both funds can be made over a 3- year period.

Once the $800,000 fundraising goal is met, Griffin said the college will use the money to establish the endowment fund. Proceeds from the endowment interest will fund repair projects at Winnie Davis.

"The benefactor wants to establish this preservation endowment to ensure Winnie Davis Hall of History never gets back in the condition it is today," Griffin said. "The endowment will be used strictly for maintenance."

The benefactor has already pledged $200,000 toward the Winnie Davis endowment fund, Griffin said. Limestone College must raise the remaining $600,000.

Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry played a major role in making the current effort to restore Winnie Davis possible. Perry was instrumental in fundraising efforts in 1987 to repair the roof and seal the historic building from further damage until it could be restored.

Perry started the Limestone College baseball program. His late wife, Blanche, was a Limestone alumna.

"His wife fell in love with the Winnie Davis building while they were here. After his wife died Perry helped raise $100,000 in a fundraising effort to repair the roof and seal the exterior of the building," Griffin said. "If this work had not been done, Winnie Davis probably wouldn't be here today. It would be a parking lot."

No deadline has been set on when the college must complete its fundraising efforts for the new endowment. However, Griffin said the benefactor has provided an additional financial incentive for Limestone College.

The benefactor will give another $500,000 to the Winnie Davis capital campaign once the endowment fundraising goal is met, Griffin said.

"We want to raise the money for the Winnie Davis endowment as soon as possible," Griffin said. "This will allow the college to preserve this beautiful building for many generations."