New Exhibition - Postcards from Paradise: Writings and Images from Dreamland, Luna Park and Steeplechase Parks. Now through February 27, 2011 Postcards from Paradise: Writings and Images from Dreamland, Luna Park and Steeplechase Parks, an exhibition of never-before seen postcards from the Coney Island Museum Collection, featuring an introduction by former first lady, Barbara Bush.  For over a century, individuals have been sending each other images and text through the mail. Postcards are the original Instant Messages, and in the early 20th century, thousands were mailed from Coney Island each day, telling stories and painting word-pictures that were carried by the US Postal Service to destinations all over the world.  Curated by Martha Wilson and Aaron Beebe, this exhibition is not affiliated in any way with the government of the United States, the US Postal Service, or any other State-Sponsored organization or Agency.

ADMISSION: 99 CENTS CHEAP
The Museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 12PM-5PM.

Climbing the staircase to the second floor of our historic building at 1208 Surf Avenue (near West 12th Street) brings you to a small but fascinating museum of Coney Island memorabilia. The view from the windows overlooks landmark rides like the Cyclone Rollercoaster, the Wonder Wheel and the Parachute Jump. The museum itself is full of antiques and fun relics of old rides. A visit is certainly worth the modest admission price of 99 cents.

The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays, year round, from noon to 5pm. Visiting hours may be expanded during the summer season.

The Coney Island Museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to interpreting and preserving the history of Coney Island. Our collection is continually growing and a walk around the gallery will give you a sense of the importance of this place to the nation and the world.

There are several good reasons to pay a visit to The Coney Island Museum:

IT'S A TOURIST CENTER
People or families spending a day at the beach need a clean bathroom, quality souvenirs and a friendly, knowledgeable person to answer questions about the neighborhood. We can help you with those things!


IT'S FULL OF FUN STUFF TO LOOK AT
Currently on display you can see: Daniel Blake's frenetic Dreamland in Motion! The Boardwalk Rolling Chair! Funhouse Distortion Mirrors! Cases and cases of great antique souvenirs! If you or your out of town friends are new to Brooklyn and/or amusement park history why not come and look at vintage bumping cars instead of just read about them? Why not show your perplexed youngsters???

IT'S A PLACE TO HEAR A LECTURE OR SEE A FILM
During the summer season the museum offers several programs like ASK THE EXPERTS, a Sunday afternoon series featuring Coney Island historians, and the CONEY ISLAND FILM SOCIETY on Saturday Evenings. There are also occasional SWAP MEETS for collectors and WALKING TOURS available for groups of 20 or more. Sign up for our email list and know in advance about all shows.

IT'S A COOL PLACE TO RENT FOR A PRIVATE PARTY
Believe it or not people have actually gotten married in the Coney Island Museum! Did you know that Spike Lee rented the place for two weeks as an actor holding area when he filmed HE GOT GAME in the neighborhood? Denzel Washington was there! We have also been rented for rock videos and fashion shoots by the likes of Herb Ritts! Please call for a price quote when you plan your next party or special event.

"ASK THE EXPERTS" LECTURE SERIES- 2010 SCHEDULE
Sundays at 4:30PM at the Coney Island Museum throughout the summer! $5 General Public, Free for Coney Island USA Members.

May 23 - Zoe Beloff, The Life and Work of Albert Grass - founder of the Coney Island Amateur Psychoanalytic Society

May 30 - Dick Zigun, State of Coney Island Address

June 5 - Special Saturday Edition, 4pm - Todd Berkun, Long Island and New York City Places That Are No More

June 6 - Observatory Presents, a Lecture from the Files of our Sister Space

June 13 - Joanna Ebenstein of the Morbid Anatomy Library, Anatomical Venuses and Slashed Beauties: Inside the World of the Anatomical Museum

June 20 - No Lecture (Mermaid Parade)

June 27 - Amelia Klem Osterud - The Tatooed Lady, a History

July 4 - Trav S.D and Friends - A Barnum Bicentenary: Lecture and performance by Trav S.D. and friends in observance of P.T. Barnum's 200th birthday

July 11 - Martha Wilson of Franklin Furnace, Life and Work

July 18 - Kathy Peiss, Working Class Women in Coney Island

July 25 – Dr. Jeffrey Birnbaum - Sideshow Performers, Congenital Malformations, Disabilities and the Medical Community

August 1 - Suzanne Spellen, Senator William Reynolds

August 8 - Jon Dohlin of the New York Aquarium, Sea Change at the New York Aquarium

August 15 - Evan Michelson of Obscura Antiques and Oddities, The Culture of Curiosity

August 22 - Joseph Barna, From Russia with Love: Siberia to Brighton Beach, Ice Slide to Roller Coaster; A Unique Look at America's Favorite Ride, including a special look at the Coney Island Tornado

August 29 - Cezar del Valle, The Brooklyn Theatre Index - Book Launch