By Nick Leonetti
Lucy the Elephant will open her tusks for a rare overnight sta. On February 27, it was announced that a few lucky guests are going to be able to enjoy overnight stays for a limited time only. Judging by all the publicity this upcoming event is receiving, there is no doubt that all the available reservations will be booked up and fast.
What exactly is Lucy anyway? Well, for starters, she is the largest elephant in the world. Weighing in at around 90 tons, Lucy is 65 feet in height and 60 feet in length. Another interesting fact is that she is also the oldest roadside attraction in the country. Her history is an interesting and checkered one, worthy of note.
James V. Lafferty, and Irish-American inventor, constructed Lucy the Elephant in 1881, and since then the giant structure has taken on many forms. Originally, Lafferty utilized the elephant’s carriage as a place where potential customers of surrounding real estate could come and view land parcels, due to the view. Later, she functioned as a restaurant, bar and tavern, office, and cottage. By the 1960s, people seemed to lose interest in the structure, and Lucy quickly fell into disrepair, which happens often with old structures. She was old in the sixties, and a simple Google search will show the reader how her tin covers were literally falling off. Luckily, in 1969 a Margate Civic Association formed (later to become Save Lucy Committee) saved Lucy from being demolished.
In 1970, Lucy was scooted over a 100-yards into a city-owned lot and given a much-needed tune-up inside and out. She was closed until 1974, which is how long it took to complete all of the major renovations. It’s worth pointing out that other than a new steel buttress and a replicated carriage, Lucy is still the same as she has been 1881. By 1976, Lucy became a National Historic Landmark, which keeps her protected by the government. Since this particular point in time, she has become a popular tourist attraction and never ceases to be an impressive view while driving down Atlantic Avenue.
Among all the other firsts, it’s interesting to note that Lucy the Elephant is the only National Historic Landmark listed on Airbnb. The goal for this recent endeavor by the Save Lucy Committee is simple: the three nights in March (17, 18, and 19) Lucy the Elephant will be open for guests will work as a fundraising opportunity due to much needed renovations. Richard Helfant, the executive director of the committee, has been quoted as saying that “Lucy’s been painted so many times that her skin is at the point where it bubbles off. We’re at a time where we have to strip her down to the bare metal, prime and repaint. It’s a massive undertaking” (CNN).
And this massive undertaking is not by any means cheap. It is going to cost roughly $500,000, so raising as much money as possible is key. Obviously, this little stint in hospitality will be a drop in the bucket compared to what needs to be raised in total; however, it is an ingenious publicity stunt: a testing of the waters for future, innovative ways to fundraise.
The room set-up for future guests is a breathtaking replica of 1902 decor. At the start, all guests are to be given a personal tour by Helfant, as well as the Mayor of Margate, Michael Becker. There will be dinner at a local restaurant (yet to be determined), and then guests will be chauffeured back to Lucy to spend their night. A staff member will be on hand throughout the evening in the gift shop if there are any questions or concerns. Guests will have access to all parts of Lucy during their stay.
Anyone who is interested in spending the night in Lucy the Elephant will be given the chance to book a reservation on March 5 at noon. The price is a mere $138, representing her age. This is first-come, first-serve so as soon as the portal on Airbnb opens it’s most likely going to work more like a raffle than anything else. It will be the luck of the draw, and this writer looks forward to hearing about the lucky guests’ experiences inside the biggest elephant on earth.
Nick Leonetti is an adjunct professor at Stockton University. He is married to the poet Maria Provenzano. E-mail any questions regarding his writing at NLeonetti85@msn.com.
