FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – The mayor of Fernandina Beach has launched a community fundraising campaign to help restore the beloved Peg Leg Pete statue.
On Saturday, the City of Fernandina Beach announced that Mayor James Antun decided to start a “Peg Leg Pete Restoration Fund” to raise $23,000 to restore the iconic statue and return it to its spot downtown.
“Currently housed at the Amelia Island Museum of History, Pete stands watch for visitors and residents alike. Help bring him home,” the city wrote in a Facebook post.
In October, Peg Leg Pete was moved from downtown to the Amelia Island Museum of History after being deemed unsafe for public interaction. However, an ant infestation has kept the statue outside the museum and exposed to the elements.
As of Monday morning, about $500 had been raised.
In August, the city’s Historic District Council (HDC) met to discuss a proposal that would send the aging statue to the Amelia Island Museum of History and replace it with a new one.
However, just hours before the meeting began, City Attorney Teresa Prince said she was approached by a “credible source” who said, “There are cremains that have been interred in Peg Leg Pete.”
Officials have not commented recently on the possible cremains found inside the statue.