Oral History Archive

Ahmed Hussain

Memories of a boyhood helping out in his family's store in Coney Island and learning to play pinball

Rob Weissbard

Milton Berger's nephew describes adventures at Steeplechase Park with Coney's great showman

Mr. Luong

Coney Island homeowner recalls fleeing Vietnam with his family in 1981 and settling in New York City

Ho Cheung Li

Mermaid Avenue pharmacist dispenses news and advice to new immigrants

Beth Allen

Beth Allen recounts her origins as an "incubator baby" in Dr. Martin Couney's sideshow

Sam Person

Family memories of Nat Faber's Fascination arcade and amusement business empire

Liz Unger

Memories of Coney Island in the 1950s and a family's candy factory on Mermaid Avenue

Erum Hanif

Community Board 13 member and CEO of Apna Brooklyn Community Center

Samantha Robles (Cake)

Tattoo artist who grew up in Coney Island's West End

Alicia Angello

Teen memories of Coney Island's Polar Express and Breakdance in the 2000s

Ansen Tang

Director of United Chinese Association of Brooklyn in Bensonhurt, Dyker Heights, and Sheepshead Bay

Jerry Omanoff

Memories of living in Coney Island from the late 1940s to the mid-1960s

Carol Polcovar

Writer and playwright who grew up in Coney Island from 1943 to 1956

Jerry Farley (The Jerry Farley)

Record producer and audio engineer who produces live shows at Coney Island Brewery

John Philip Capello

Mystery artist who carved faces into rocks on the shoreline at Brighton Beach

Rachel Rosenberg Simon

Rachel Simon recalls her family's Deli Restaurant on Mermaid Avenue

Eric Schwelke

Memories of living in Luna Park Houses in the 1960s and again in the late 1970s

Frieda Schwelke

Memories of growing up in Coney Island in the 1930s and '40s and moving to Luna Park Houses in 1962