By Julia Train
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker presented a $500,000 check in federal funding for Lucy the Elephant’s makeover on Friday, Aug. 9, in Margate.
The money comes from the senator’s congressionally directed spending and will be used to renovate the historical attraction’s interior.
The roadside attraction, the oldest in the U.S., was built in 1881 by real estate developer James V. Lafferty, Jr. to attract potential buyers to the area, according to atlanticcitynj.com. The belly of the elephant was once a hotel and a tavern. Today, it is a museum, showcasing the iconic elephant’s history.
This is the second year in a row the landmark applied for a federal grant to revamp it. Last year, Lucy didn’t get accepted for an endowment to construct a new visitor center, but was encouraged to reapply.
This year, however, the elephant’s committee applied specifically for interior restoration purposes and received the award.
“When [Sen. Booker’s] office called, we were floored. We were blown away, because half a million dollars, it’s a huge amount of money for the project,” said Richard Helfant, Lucy the Elephant executive director and CEO. “He is just the warmest, most sincere and genuine person that I’ve met in a long time.”
Booker, who is on his annual tour of all 21 counties in New Jersey, spent almost two hours at the marvel, touring, taking photos and mingling among the public.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve been coming down to this incredible community. This elephant has stood out in my life,” said Sen. Booker. “It is something that’s special. It’s part of our heritage and we should do everything we can to support and preserve it.”
The renovation will focus on several aspects of Lucy’s internal area.
The plaster walls, which have water damage due to years of water infiltration will be refinished and repaired; the wooden floors and steps which are made out of yellow pine will be stripped and refinished; the 50-year-old HVAC system will be replaced and fire suppression system will be upgraded.
Helfant anticipates that the project, which will begin in the last quarter of 2025, will cost about $750,000. The Save Lucy Committee already had $250,000 put aside for it and now, with the $500,000, they have the entirety of the needed money and are able to proceed.
In 2022, a $2.4 million exterior revamping of the 143-year-old attraction was completed to replace rotted timbers and apply a brand-new metal skin, closing the attraction for 15 months due to significant delays.
The last time the interior was restored, however, was in the 1990s when plaster walls were installed, but no other work has been done to the inside since.
In attendance were New Jersey Sen. Vince Polistina, Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift and Atlantic County Commissioner June Dillon-Byrnes.
Margate’s Mayor Michael Collins and Commissioners Catherine Horn and Maury Blumberg also attended.
The mayor said the City of Margate has pledged up to $1.5 million to build a $3.5 million visitors center next to the six-story-high structure.
Helfant said the committee will break ground on the visitor center in October. A grand opening is expected to be held by Memorial Day 2026.
Earlier this year, the beloved elephant was voted the country’s best roadside attraction through a USA Today online poll.
Julia is a recent Rider University graduate, where she studied multiplatform journalism and social media strategies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, photography and the beach. She can be reached at juliatrainmedia@gmail.com or connect with her on Instagram @juliatrain
