A French restoration for Academy chandelier

Among the work contemplated, in various phases of planning, are:

Restoration of the ballroom, including opening the blocked windows to Broad Street, re-creating and installing historically accurate chandeliers that have been removed, and, perhaps, allowing visitors access to the balcony. This project is fully funded and expected to begin next summer.

Restoration of the mural above the dome. It was conserved in recent renovations, said Lewis, but not restored. Cracks are evident. There are no immediate plans for this work.

Repairing or replacing brownstone on the outside of the building.

Installing new seats in the auditorium.

Renovation of restrooms.

All this work is on top of routine maintenance that happens each summer for the brief period the Academy is not being used by the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Kimmel's Broadway series and civic events.

"There will always be ongoing renovation work needed. Daily usage [causes] some wear and tear to a 150-year-old building," said Lewis.

The Academy's president would like to show off the building to more tourists, and would like to produce a brief light-and-sound show at the Academy explaining its history and highlighting the interior. In January, at the building's 150th anniversary celebration, such a show was shown to the white-tie crowd, lighting architectural details as narrator Tom Brokaw spoke.

Said Lewis, "We have so much gold that glitters - why not highlight it?"