New Jersey's most famous roadside pachyderm gets $350,000 facelift grant

New Jersey's most famous roadside pachyderm is getting a major facelift thanks to a $350,000 federal and state grant.

The Save Lucy Committee announced this week that Lucy the Elephant has been awarded funding to restore the National Historic Landmark’s interior. The grant was secured through a partnership between the National Park Service’s "Save America’s Treasures" program and the New Jersey Historic Trust, with key support from U.S. Sen. Cory Booker.

The six-story wood-and-tin structure, which has stood over the Jersey Shore since 1881, requires specialized maintenance to preserve its internal integrity. While the exterior underwent a $2.4 million renovation recently, this new funding will focus on the "bones" and inside of the elephant to ensure it stands tall for future generations.

"Lucy is a proud recipient of this grant, which will be used to restore the interior of the world's most famous elephant," supporters shared in a recent social media update.

The "Save America’s Treasures" program preserves nationally significant heritage sites threatened by age or environmental factors. As one of the oldest roadside attractions in the United States, Lucy remains a vital piece of New Jersey’s tourism and historical identity.

Officials have not released a timeline for when interior work will begin or if it will impact summer tour schedules.