MARGATE – Lucy the Elephant is a happy girl this Friday the 13th, which is considered a bad luck day. But Lucy is in the pink today because she learned that her interior rooms are closer to getting a complete makeover thanks to an influx of federal funding.
The Save Lucy Committee announced today that it has been awarded a $350,000 grant for Lucy’s interior restoration – a grant that was promised last year but later rescinded.
“We thank Senator Booker for continuing to make Lucy a national treasure and a priority for federal funding,” Save Lucy Committee Executive Director Richard Helfant said.
The funding, which was to be awarded last year until Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts eliminated the previously approved Congressionally Directed Spending program in last year’s federal budget.
Booker stood beneath the massive roadside attraction on a hot day last August to present the elephant sized check, but DOGE cuts eliminated the award – albeit temporarily. The new award is much less than the $500,000 awarded last year, however.
While standing beneath the four-story tall elephant, Booker called seeing and touring Lucy “extraordinary.”
“Since I was a kid coming down to this incredible community, this elephant stood out in my life,” he said. “Elephants don’t forget, and neither do I forget my childhood and know how special this is.”
Booker said Lucy is the oldest roadside attraction in the nation and part of the state’s heritage and therefore, she should be supported and preserved.
“Lucy is part of our heritage, and we should do everything we can to support and preserve it,” Booker said when he presented the big check, which was granted to upgrade the interior rooms of Margate’s 143-year-old pachyderm.
The total cost of Lucy’s interior restoration is estimated to be $1.2 million, which will repair the water-damaged plaster walls, resurface the wooden floors, replace the original HVAC system, and update the fire-suppression system of the famous landmark.
Rendering of Interpretive Center to be built next to Lucy the Elephant.The project follows a $2.4 million exterior restoration completed in 2022 that repaired deteriorating sections of Lucy’s wooden frame and installed all new metal “skin” cladding using Monel400 before applying a specially formulated coating system from Acrymax.
The Congressional funding is part of a series of grants awarded for Lucy’s restoration and to build an interpretive center, which will provide accessibility for those who cannot climb the narrow spiral staircase inside Lucy’s leg.
The City of Margate has also pledged up to $1.5 million to build the $3.5 million visitors center next to the elephant. The committee has an ongoing capital campaign and will continue to seek grant funds to support Lucy’ total restoration.
“On behalf of the Save Lucy Committee, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Senator Cory Booker for championing and securing this significant grant, which plays a vital role in preserving Lucy the Elephant and insuring that this beloved National Historic Landmark continues to inspire visitors from all over the world for generations to come,” Save Lucy Committee President Jason Tell said.
Funding from the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures Program and the New Jersey Historic Trust have been awarded for this project, allowing the Save Lucy Committee to complete a full restoration of the national landmark for the second time since a group of citizens saved Lucy from the wrecking ball in 1970.
Lucy, who is popular worldwide, was named America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction for two years running.
Federal and State grants were secured by grant consultant Jim Rutala of Rutala Associates of Linwood.
STEVE JASIECKI/Lucy the Elephant appears to gaze at Venus and Saturn during evening twilight.Copyright Fideri News Network 2026
