In September 2021, Lucy was surrounded by scaffolding to facilitate her restoration.
MARGATE – Lucy the Elephant, America’s oldest roadside attraction, has been closed and hidden behind containment scaffolding since September 2021 when work to restore her began. Now, donors are being asked to throw a “Life Preserver” her way.
Over the course of several months, her rusted metal skin was removed and any rotted wood sheathing was repaired or replaced. As this work progressed, a waterproofing layer was added, and finally, her new metal skin, a new nickel and copper metal alloy called Monel 400, was added.
The last step will be to paint Lucy with a three-layer coating of Acrymax and at 141 years old, the elephant will look brand new.
“This has been an enormous financial undertaking” Executive Director of the Save Lucy Committee Richard Helfant said in a release. “We are so fortunate to have been awarded a grant from the Preserve NJ Preservation Fund administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust and the Save America’s Treasures Grant program administered by the National Park Service. Originally estimated at $1.4 million, costs have skyrocketed to more than $2 million.”
The “Lucy’s Life Preserver” campaign is seeking out 800 people to donate $1,000, similar to what was done back in 1970 when Lucy was minutes away from the wrecking ball.
Back in 1970, Ed and Sylvia Carpenter, along with Josephine Harron and their brand new Save Lucy Committee, convinced 62 people to donate $1,000, the funding necessary to move Lucy from Cedar Grove Avenue to her new home on Decatur Avenue, now proudly known as 1 Lucy Plaza.
“The people in our community are very generous and we feel confident there are enough who will want to come to Lucy’s aid at this critical time in her storied life,” Helfant said.
Donors who pledge $1,000 or more will have their name inscribed on a permanent bronze plaque that will be displayed at Lucy, receive a gold plated “Lucy’s Life Preserver” commemorative pin, and will receive life membership into the “Friends of Lucy.”
“We realize not everyone will be able to contribute $1,000. We deeply appreciate every donation, no matter the amount. Lucy stands today as a National Historic Landmark, because of the nickels, dimes, and dollars that have been donated over the years,” Helfant said.
All donations to Lucy are tax deductible.
Tours through Lucy are scheduled to resume on Friday May 27. Lucy will be open every day following a modified schedule while construction continues.
For more hours and information about the “Lucy’s Life Preserver” campaign, see www.LucyTheElephant.org or call 609-823-6473, ext. 5.
