SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Lucy the Elephant has been a Jersey Shore treasure for more than 100 years — and it’s starting to show. But thanks in part to federal funding, the icon is undergoing restorations for a new exterior.
“The rust is starting to pop through all over her body,” said CEO Richard Helfant, so he was thrilled that the federal government recognized Lucy’s status as a historical attraction and granted $500,000 to have her resurfaced.
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She will get new skin made of a special alloy called monel, a nickel and copper mixture that should last much longer than the current tin structure. Renovations are expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend 2022.
The organization has been repainting Lucy every five years. Helfant hopes that changes to 15 years or more, which would save a lot of cash in the long run.
“If the monel is what they say it is and it is truly rust-proof, we should get a lot more life out of each coat of paint,” he added. “Hopefully the metal will last forever.”
The new exterior project costs $2 million, and the New Jersey Historic Trust is providing $700,000, on top of the $500,000 from the National Park Service. Helfant hopes anyone who has fond memories of Lucy will make a donation to help cover the remaining $800,000.
“There’s only one six-story giant elephant on this planet, and she’s here and she’s ours.”