She is still under wraps for repairs
Lucy the Elephant, America’s Oldest Roadside Attraction, has been closed and hidden behind containment scaffolding since September 2021 when work began. Over the course of several months, scaffolding was erected around Lucy. Next, 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 was attached. The new metal is an alloy called Monel 400 which is made of primarily nickel and copper. 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” said Richard Helfant, Executive Director of the Save Lucy Committee. “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 $1000; similar to what was done back in 1970 when Lucy was minutes away from the wrecking ball. “Back in 1970, Ed & Sylvia Carpenter, along with Josephine Harron and their brand-new Save Lucy Committee, convinced 62 people to donate $1000; the funding necessary to move Lucy from Cedar Grove Avenue to her new home on Decatur Ave; 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”. Donors who pledge $1000 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”. Lucy stands today as a National Historic Landmark, because of the nickels, dimes, and dollars that have been donated over the years”. All donations to Lucy are tax deductible.
For more information on the “Lucy’s Life Preserver” campaign, please visit: www.LucyTheElephant.org or call, 609-823-6473, Ext. 5.
Tours through Lucy are scheduled to resume on Friday May 27th. Lucy will be open every day following a modified schedule while construction continues.
