In 1958 renowned poet and publisher Lawrence Ferlinghetti published a collection of poems entitled Coney Island of the Mind – an evocative phrase that calls up an imaginary play land, one built of memory and nostalgia where roller coasters reached up into the sky and mermaids walked the boulevards. These are the images most people think of when they talk about Coney Island – Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump, the Cyclone, Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, the Mermaid Parade, the boardwalk and the beach. All in all a perfect little “Playground of the World” here at the very end of Long Island, a beachside haven away from the hustle of the city.
From poems to movies to rock songs, Coney Island has been glorified in a glittering world of debauchery and fun. But beyond the amusement rides, lives the other side of Coney Island, the community that is completely separate from the most known parts of Coney Island. One that is diverse and ever changing with a long history reaching back to the earliest Dutch settlers. Populated by mostly blue collar and working class, Coney Island is one of the culturally richest neighborhoods in Brooklyn; home to Hispanic American, Italian American, African American, Russian, Ukrainian, Asian, and Jewish people to just name a few.
Our exhibit, Beyond the Boardwalk: The Other Side of Coney Island brings together photos, books, and ephemera, from our collection in an effort to shift the narrative from the flash and amusement and shine a light upon the residents that make up the other side of Coney Island.
Preview the Exhibit
