Posts Tagged ‘Coney Island’

Saturday, October 5: Cinema City: Coney Island!

Film still of riders of amusement park ride "The Whip"
Get Aboard!

Tickets Available Now! – $20 General Admission – $15 City Reliquary Members (Join Today!)

The City Reliquary is pleased to announce our Fall event series, Cinema City! Presented by Screen Slate contributor and NYC trivia expert (part of the reigning Panorama Challenge championship team!) Cosmo Bjorkenheim, each Cinema City program will explore New York City’s many and varied depictions in film through clips and discussion. From early Edison experiments to recent blockbusters, studio standards to cult favorites, you’ll see New York in a whole new light!

On Saturday, October 5, 2019, Cinema City kicks off with an exploration of Coney Island on film! Coney Island’s thrill rides and colorful entertainment have made it a popular on-screen destination for more than 100 years. As its fortunes have changed, so too has its depiction on film. Cosmo will trace the history of America’s playground from dream destination to Darren Aronofsky fever dream in this hour-long program. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the City Reliquary’s collection afterward!

It wouldn’t be a film screening – or, indeed, a trip to Coney Island – without refreshments! Included in your ticket is an array of unique Coney Island-themed snacks from culinary creatives Lucia Jazayeri and Anna Gelb, a.k.a. Forest Dinners. Lucia is the Creative Director for Clover Food Lab. Anna is the Director of Events for Outstanding in the Field. You’ll also receive a drink from our friends at Brooklyn Brewery! (Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.)

See you in the Cyclone line! Get your tickets here!

What’s New in our Making A Museum Exhibit? W.F. Mangels Speed Boat Ride

This tropical-themed boat was part of a children’s ride named Speed Boat constructed by the W.F. Mangels Company of Coney Island in the 1950s. Speed Boat consisted of eight boats that followed a circular undulating track around a central lighthouse pillar. The boat’s rear seat has a ship’s wheel with bells attached, and the front seat has a cast aluminum mock gun.

William F. Mangels emigrated from Germany as a teen, and started his eponymous amusement ride company by the time he was twenty, in 1886. With his mechanic’s training, ingenuity, and complete devotion to figuring out what would be the most fun, Mangels quickly became prominent in his chosen field. His most famous ride, The Whip, was first installed at Luna Park, Coney Island, in 1914 and spread rapidly from there, with more than 500 Whips in amusement parks around the world. Mangels held more than fifty patents for amusements he designed, including wave pools, shooting galleries, carousels, and coasters.

Mangels’ love for the world of amusements led, in 1929, to his directorship of the American Museum of Public Recreation, located on Coney Island close to his own factory on West 8th Street. The Museum, dedicated to play facilities of all kinds, included in its collection carousel animals, patent documents, drawings of jousting matches and ancient festivals, bicycles, sleighs, marionettes, and an extensive library. Sadly, the Museum was not a financially successful venture; however, many of its paper holdings as well as Mangels’ own company papers, blueprints, and drawings are held by Columbia University’s Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

William F. Mangels died in 1958 and is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. His creations live on – you can still ride one of his carousels on Coney Island today!

The Sea Reliquarians make a splash at the Mermaid Parade!

The Sea Reliquarians blew into Coney Island like a nor’easter. Poseidon, two mini-mermaids, a civic jellyfish, Carrie FISHer, and Lady Liberty herself were part of our group that took the boardwalk with a banner celebrating civic pride.

We’re planning a float for Mermaid Parade 2018. See you on the sand next year!

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