Oral History Archive

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

Elizabeth Velasco

Remembers the Laughing Lady

Joan Briller

Grew up in Brighton Beach

Kenneth Rosen

Remembers details of riding the Parachute Jump

Paul Brigandi

A lover of Steeplechase Park

Marina Molina

Has lived in Coney Island for 41 years

Wendolyn Bundy

Retired teacher

Paul Krassner

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

Charles Tesoro

Former president of the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce

Philomena Marano

Artist and co-founder of Coney Island Hysterical Society

Trav S.D.

Actor, author, and modern-day vaudevillian

Barbara Delamadrid

A lifetime resident of Coney Island

Matt Kennedy

Longtime Director of the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce

Ed Spielman

Biographer of the Mighty Atom

Frank Pugliese

Maintained Astroland Park's Astrotower for 25 years