Oral History Archive

Jack Ward

Grandson of Coney Island Developer William J. Ward

David Mamasoff

His father sold frozen seafood to Nathan's

Joan DelSandra

Memories of the Bobsled, Caterpillar and Parachute Jump

Marion Kantrowitz

Rode the Cyclone at 4 years old

Chris Davies

Great-grandson of strongman The Great Sandow

David Rapaport

Got stuck on the Parachute Jump

Melissa Rosson Rappaport

Architectural preservationist

Dorothy Wright

Lived in Coney Island since 1961

Joan Briller

Grew up in Brighton Beach

Kenneth Rosen

Remembers details of riding the Parachute Jump

Paul Brigandi

A lover of Steeplechase Park

Elizabeth Velasco

Remembers the Laughing Lady

Charles Tesoro

Former president of the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce

Trav S.D.

Actor, author, and modern-day vaudevillian

Matt Kennedy

Longtime Director of the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce

Ed Spielman

Biographer of the Mighty Atom

Nick Fracaro

Artistic Director of Thieves Theatre

Paul Krassner

Author and key figure in the counterculture of the 1960's shares his Coney Island memories