Oral History Archive

Robert Levrini
Memories of growing up on West 5th Street and grandfather's shoe repair shop on Ocean Parkway
Frederick Brosen
Artist whose watercolors of the Astroland Rocket and Wonder Wheel sign are emblematic of Coney Island
Chris Cuomo
Memories of riding the Steeplechase Horses, Human Roulette Wheel and Parachute Jump 70 years ago
Gina Femia
Brooklyn-born playwright on her plays set in Coney Island and a marriage proposal on the beach
Linda Zhang
Coney Island homeowner for 19 years enjoys organic gardening and walking on the boardwalk
Stanley Fox
Retired Coney Island arcade operator recalls his family's 30-plus years in the business
Sheila Levrant de Bretteville
Memories of growing up a block from the ocean and being head of Lincoln High School's Art Squad
Olga Lozar
A Sea Gate resident who is a Coney Island Polar Bear talks about the pleasures of winter swimming
Xin Song
Artist who used traditional Chinese paper cutting to create public art in Bay Parkway subway station
Allen James
Coney Islander, musician/songwriter in alt-rock band Newborn, lifeguard
Crystal Isley
Memories of growing up in Coney Island Houses in the 1980s and '90s
Robert Whitney
Memories of a gorilla show, a bungalow colony, and an underground city beside the beach
Yanglun Hsiao
A filmmaker and film editor from Taiwan living in Brighton Beach
Stanley Fox, Part 2
Retired arcade operator's memories of when Coney Island's amusements were open in the wintertime
George Ancona
The art of growing up Mexican American in Coney Island in the 1930s and '40s
Alito Hernandez
From breakdancing on the streets of Coney Island with Fresh Kids to Peter Gennaro's Street Dreams
Silvana, Adrianne and Silverio Conte
Silvana, Adrianne and Silverio Conte, owners of 51-year-old SAS Italian Records in Bensonhurst
Yi Xin Tong (in English)
Living in Gravesend, artist from China's Mount Lu feels closest to home at Coney Island Creek