Oral History Archive

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Tiana Camacho
A voice actor's reflections on how growing up in Coney Island in the 1990s shaped her imagination
Norman Stock
Poet who grew up in Coney Island and was one of Dr. Couney's incubator babies
David Louie
David Louie's family owned the popular Wah Mee Restaurant on Mermaid Avenue
Theresa Veldez
Bungalows and fires in the West End in the 1960s
John Hunt
Model builder of roller coasters and amusement rides including the Cyclone and Deno's Wonder Wheel
Nancy Gabriel
Memories of visiting Uncle Pete, who ran a food concession at Steeplechase Pool in the 1930s-50s
Greg Birbil
Greg Birbil's father, Paul, was a candy maker who owned the Paradise Ice Cream Parlor on Surf Avenue
Michael Liff
Memories of working at the Tornado roller coaster and other Coney Island rides and games in the 1970s
Sheldon Krimsky
Memories of growing up on West 29th Street in Coney Island in the 1940s and '50s
Alonzo Kittrels
Memories of bus trips to Coney Island with the Good Will Family Club from the 1940's through 1961
Alisa Minyukova
Brooklyn artist who emigrated from Russia as a child is drawn to Ocean Parkway and Brighton Beach
Richard Termini
Memories of growing up at Bensonhurst's Termini's Bakery and riding Coney Island's Astroland Rocket
Melody Andorfer
"Hot Dog Queen" and Winner of the 1972 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
Jim Lucarelli
Memories of operating Steeplechase Park's Sports Car ride in 1963-1964 and fighting the Ravenhall fire
Pamela Pettyjohn
Longtime Coney Island resident and president of Coney Island Beautification Project
Leonid Alaverdov
Tapestry artist and Coney Island resident whose work is inspired by his native Baku and New York City
Marie Navarro
A lifelong resident's memories of growing up in Coney Island's Gravesend Houses and Kaiser Park
Lois McLohon
Brooklynite who posed for a now iconic 1950's NY Daily News pin-up photo on Coney Island Beach