Federal Grant for Lucy the Elephant of Margate Revoked by DOGE

MARGATE, N.J. — A $500,000 federal grant originally awarded for interior renovations of the historic Lucy the Elephant landmark has been rescinded, according to the nonprofit organization overseeing the attraction. The Save Lucy Committee, which maintains the six-story elephant-shaped structure built in 1881, learned this week that the funds had been revoked by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a federal office created under President Donald Trump’s current term to eliminate what it considers excessive or wasteful federal spending.
The grant, announced last summer by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, was expected to cover most of the costs of a much-needed interior restoration, including a modern fire suppression system. The funding had been seen as a crucial step following a $2.4 million exterior restoration completed recently, which included structural repairs and repainting.|
Lucy the Elephant, a National Historic Landmark and a prominent roadside attraction, has long served as a symbol of New Jersey’s coastal history. While the reason for the grant’s revocation was not specifically outlined in the decision, the DOGE website states its mission is to eliminate federal spending it deems to be “waste, fraud and abuse.”
Despite the setback, the Save Lucy Committee has pledged to continue preserving and maintaining the structure through alternative funding efforts. The organization said it remains committed to the future of Lucy, which has survived hurricanes, decay, and relocation throughout its 140-year history.