The Coney Island History Project is pleased to announce the upcoming photo exhibit "Abe Feinstein: 50 Years of Coney Island Photography," on view from June 2 through July 1.
Photographing Coney Island became Abe Feinstein’s passion after he moved there with his family in 1962. For the next half century he documented the neighborhood's fast changing streetscape on a daily basis. Part archeologist, part photojournalist, Feinstein presents a body of work that is not overly sentimental or nostalgic. His vision is an unblinking yet optimistic look at how the “People’s Playground” was transformed by politics, disasters, and urban renewal. From the last days of Steeplechase Park to the City’s recent controversial redevelopment, Abe Feinstein documented it all.
Abe worked in Manhattan’s Camera Barn, and had access to equipment ranging from small half frame cameras to the best Leicas. 83-year-old Feinstein is still a prolific shooter who is always experimenting and his photographs of the neighborhood, especially his unique night shots, capture the magic of Coney Island as no one else can.
"Abe Feinstein: 50 Years of Coney Island Photography" will be on view from June 2 through July 1, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 noon- 6pm, and by appointment to groups. The Coney Island History Project exhibit center is located at 3059 West 12th Street at the entrance to Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, just a few steps off the Boardwalk. For additional information, e-mail events@coneyislandhistory.org.
Come Meet the First Restored Horse! Saturday, May 5th & Sunday, May 6th 12 noon-4 pm Hosted by the Coney Island History Project
Special Event Features Photo Exhibit and a Contest to Name the First Horse
Please vote today and every day till May 21 at Partners in Preservation, http://partnersinpreservation.com/ to help Coney Island's historic carousel win a grant!
On the first weekend of May, the Coney Island History Project will host the "B & B Carousell Open House" in cooperation with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Come meet and get your photo taken with the first restored horse from Coney Island's beloved Bishoff and Brienstein Carousell! Acquired by the City in 2005, Coney Island's historic B & B Carousell is being restored by Carousels & Carvings in Ohio. Photos and film of the restoration process will be on view at this very special event.
Charles Denson's photos of the historic 1919 carousel in operation will also be on display along with archival images from the Coney Island History Project.
Visitors to the open house will be able to submit their vote to name this first "reborn" horse! The winner will be announced soon after the event.
The entire carousel will return home in 2013 to a new pavilion next to the Parachute Jump in Steeplechase Plaza, which is currently under construction. Architectural renderings will be on view at the open house.
"Dozens of carousels have left Coney Island forever but the B & B Carousell is the only one to actually leave and come back," said Charles Denson, director of the Coney Island History Project. "The city should be commended for restoring and returning this magnificent icon to its former home so that a new generation can enjoy its kinetic beauty and craftsmanship. The Coney Island History Project is proud to host this event."
The B & B Carousell Open House will be held on May 5 and 6, Saturday and Sunday, from 12 noon till 4:00 pm. Admission is free of charge. The Coney Island History Project's exhibition center is located at 3059 W 12th Street at the entrance to Deno's Wonder Wheel Park, just a few steps off the Boardwalk. Our regular exhibition season is from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. The exhibit center is also open year-round for special events, walking tours and by appointment for schools and groups. For additional information visit our website or email events@coneyislandhistory.org.
Stop by our exhibit center to view historic artifacts, photographs, maps, ephemera and films of Coney Island's colorful past and preview selections from our 2012 season.
This year's exhibitions will feature never-before-seen vintage films and photos, folk art treasures, and rediscovered wonders from Wonder Wheel Park. Our popular Steeplechase horse from the legendary ride that gave Steeplechase Park its name will be on display again, along with a rare Mangels "Fairy Whip" car and the original Coney Island toll house sign from 1823. Colorful banners depicting honorees of the Coney Island Hall of Fame will also be on display on Jones Walk in Wonder Wheel Park.
You'll find the Coney Island History Project's exhibition center under the Wonder Wheel's iconic entrance sign on Denos D. Vourderis Place (West 12th Street), just a few steps off the Boardwalk. We'll also be open on Easter Sunday and for special events in April and May--visit our Facebook page or follow us on twitter for updates. Our regular exhibition season is from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Hours are 12 to 6 pm on Saturdays, Sunday and holidays. The exhibit center is open year-round by appointment for schools and groups. For additional info, e-mail events@coneyislandhistory.org
The focus of the meeting is the creek's relationship to the Coney Island community and the three NYC parks that border the creek: Kaiser Park, Calvert Vaux Park, and Coney Island Creek Park. Everyone is invited to share their views and ideas about the waterway's future.
The talk covers the environmental, recreational, political, and spiritual aspects of the Creek. Denson has documented the creek for over 40 years and is working on a book and film about the waterway.
Making Waves: Exploring Opportunities Along Kaiser Park Waterfront Tuesday, April 3rd, 3 pm - 5 pm, Kaiser Park House Enter at 29th St and Neptune Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11224 Travel directions: B, F, N or Q to Coney Island, Stillwell Avenue. Take the B74 to Mermaid Avenue and West 31st Street. Walk one block north to park. Due to limited seating, this free event requires advance reservations. Please register online via info@coneyislandhistory.org. For additional info phone the Coney Island History Project at 347-702-8553.
The event is organized by Partnership for Parks, Friends of Kaiser Park and the Coney Island History Project.
"Secrets of Coney Island Creek," an exhibit of Charles Denson's photos, is on view in vitrines in the lobby and on the 2nd floor of the Coney Island branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. The library is located on Mermaid Avenue at West 19th Street. Click here for hours and directions.
Take a stroll through Coney Island's amusement district--past, present and future--with the Coney Island History Project. Our unique walking tours are based on History Project Director Charles Denson's award-winning book "Coney Island: Lost and Found," the interviews from CIHP's Oral History Archive, and other primary sources.
Tours are led by historian Charles Denson or poet/teaching artist Amanda Deutch, who have over 100 years of family history in Coney Island! The 1-1/2 hour tour includes a private visit to the History Project's exhibit center and a talk on the exhibits and objects on display.
Sunday Walking Tours are scheduled during Coney Island's season, which runs from April through October. Tours are approximately one mile in length and wheelchair accessible. Tickets for Sunday tours are $20 and available by advance reservation. Throughout the year, individuals and groups may schedule a private walking tour and visit to our exhibition center on a weekday or weekend. For info and reservations, email events@coneyislandhistory.org.
In 2004 Carol Hill Albert and Jerry Albert founded
the Coney Island History Project in memory of Dewey Albert.
Jerry Albert was a passionate believer in Coney Island. You had to be a believer to accomplish what he did. It began when Jerry’s father, Dewey, bought the derelict Feltmans Restaurant property as a favor for Nathan Handwerker, who wanted to move his Nathans Famous restaurant to the 3-acre Feltmans site. When the deal to move Nathans fell through, Dewey turned to his son for help.
Jerry Albert grew up on the beachfront in Sea Gate at Coney Island’s West End, enjoying a childhood of building boats and exploring the waters of Gravesend Bay and Coney Island Creek. His sense of adventure would inspire him to create something unique in Coney Island.
Jerry accepted the challenge and began creating the space-age-themed amusement park called Astroland. His optimistic motto was “A Journey to the 21st Century. Jerry proved to be a visionary and he transformed Coney’s oldest attraction into its newest.
Coney Island was fading in the early 1960s, and was in desperate need of a lift. While many were giving up and closing their businesses, Jerry Albert was an ambitious young man who understood the potential in the amusement zone and wanted only the best. Resurrecting Coney Island became his quest. He traveled across Europe seeking the newest, most exciting rides for the park he envisioned. After returning, he headed west and teamed up with Disney ride builder Arrow Development to create unique rides for the park. The old Feltmans property soon began a radical transformation. In 1964, after a $3-million-dollar investment, Astroland Park opened with an exciting assortment of unique rides: the Water Flume, a The Mercury Capsule Sky Ride, Deep Sea Diving Bells, and a Moon Rocket, all new attractions never before seen on the east coast.
All amusement parks need a tower and Jerry made sure that Coney had one. The futuristic Astrotower with its circular observation car became the park’s centerpiece. The newspapers dubbed it “The Big Bagel in the Sky” and one declared that: “There’s only one place where anyone would dare to put up such a thing, and that’s Coney Island, that land of the frivolous, where gaiety and fun have reigned for years. We’re glad to see the old place hasn’t lost its zest for the bizarre.” Jerry embraced the tower’s “bagel” theme and served a spread of bagels and lox at the tower’s dedication. The space-age theme caught the public imagination as Variety declared in a front-page story “Nowhere is this fierce concern with rocket propulsion, satellite launchings and lunar landings more evident than at the new Astroland...”
Astroland would continue to sponsor popular events, from Coney’s first film festival, in 1963, to the dramatic air shows of the 1980s. Albert had a love of antique cars and classic wooden yachts. Among his lovingly restored antique cars was a pearl green 1960 Cadillac, a regular entrant in the Mermaid Parade, which he kept on display below the Cyclone Roller Coaster.
Jerry’s enthusiasm and investment in Coney Island proved to be pivotal, a turning point for Coney Island that helped keep it afloat for nearly half a century. He oversaw the restoration of the landmark Cyclone Roller Coaster, saving it from destruction. He was an admired civic leader and a faithful booster. As long as Jerry had a say, Coney would survive the turmoil that forced so many others to give up. Under Jerry’s leadership Astroland thrived as he continued journeying across the country on a quest to find the most exciting rides and attractions for Coney Island. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Albert considered selling his beloved Astroland Park but instead retired and turned over park operations to his wife, Carol Hill Albert, who ran it successfully through its last decade.
---Charles Denson
Dewey and Jerry Albert
