Sub-Group I:  Records

            Series 1: Books / Manuals

            Series 2: Clippings/Articles

            Series 3: Miscellaneous

            Series 4: News Clippings

 Sub-Group II:  Photographs

            Series 5: Cyclone

            Series 6: Construction

            Series 7: Military

            Series 8: Park Businesses

            Series 9: People

            Series 10: Rides

            Series 11: Scenery

            Series 12: Special Events

  Sub-Group III: Scrapbooks

            Series 13: Bound scrapbooks

Sub-Group IV:  Awards / Plaques  / Certificates

            Series 14: Awards / Plaques

            Series 15: Certificates

Sub-Group V: Videos

            Series 16: Commercials

            Series 17: Cyclone

            Series 18: Events

            Series 19: History of… & Documentaries

            Series 20: Movies

            Series 21: News

            Series 22: Promotions

            Series 23: TV Shows

Sub-Group VI: Miscellaneous Media

            Series 24: CDs

            Series 25: Slides / Negatives

Sub-Group I:  Records                                                                                                                                                       6 bxs; 3 cu.ft.

Series 1: Books /Manuals, Inclusive dates: 1960-2008, 1½ boxes, .75 cubic feet.  Series arranged in alphabetical order. 

This series contains books that were re-housed for archival purposes.  Books with bindings unsuitable for storage purposes were unbound and filed together.  There is a collection of “Amusement Park Journals,” “All Time Locality Mayor, Inc.,” “Stewardship Report: Dramamine Screamers 1983” and an entire “International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Promotions and Advertising Scrapbook” which is organized according to chapter. 

Series 2: Clippings/Articles - as organized by donor. Dates: 1975 thru 2003.  ½ bxs, .25 cubic feet. Arranged in no particular order.

This series contains clippings from scrapbooks as well as bundled articles that were put into logical chronological order by the donor.  Most are miscellaneous articles, however, they include topics such as “Cyclone 1984-1986.” 

Series 3: Miscellaneous, 2 boxes (one oversized), 1.5 cubic feet.  Series arranged alphabetically

Included here are files on ads for Astroland, correspondence with the Albert family (particularly Dewey Albert), information on the Cyclone’s 75^th Anniversary, public relations issues and other documentation of interest. This grouping also contains 3 oversized photographs; of Astroland at Night, Cyclone with riders, and Siren Fest.

Series 4: News Clippings, 2 Boxes (One oversized), 1 cubic foot.  Series arranged initially by topic and then alphabetically.

This series encompasses a slew of articles and clippings collected by the donors, from the late 1970s to roughly 2007.  Topics include the Air shows that took place every Memorial Day weekend at Coney Island’s boardwalk with various articles that appeared in newspapers about Astroland.  There are also two folders with general business articles that the donor found to be significant.  Topics of these articles include Disneyland, Disneyworld, and Six Flags Amusement Park.  Documents found here also relate to different events held at Astroland over the years.

            There is also one oversized box of newspaper clippings from different newspapers in the nation on Astroland and Coney Island items (dates: 1980s through 2000s).

Sub-Group II:  Photographs                                                                                                                                            7 bxs.; 3.5 cu. ft.

Series 5: Cyclone, Inclusive dates: 1960-2008, 8 folders.  Series arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. 

Here are the photos of various anniversaries of the Cyclone while under the control of Astroland.  There are 70^th - 77^th anniversary photos in addition to images of Cyclone’s advertisements, crew and people riding the roller coaster.

Series 6: Construction, 9 folders.  Series arranged by topic and then alphabetically. 

The series contains photographs of different construction projects that took place at Astroland.  They include building the Pirate Ship and Centrifuge rides.  Also shown are miscellaneous photographs dealing with structural issues.

Series 7: Military, 7 folders.  Series arranged by event and then alphabetically.

Photographs include the different events in which military flyovers and air shows were celebrated at Astroland and Coney Island with aerial photos of Golden Knight parachute jumpers during their performance. 

Series 8:  Park Businesses, 6 folders.  Series arranged alphabetically. 

This series contains photos of different park businesses (both closed and open) including the sale of merchandise, food stands, ticket booths, and games. 

Series 9:  People, 5 folders. Organized by genre.

Miscellaneous pictures of people in/around Astroland.  Photos are sorted by: street level, above street level, crowds, people alone, people at the beach and people dressed up as Arabian Knights. 

Series 10:  Rides, 1 ½ boxes, .75 cubic foot.  Series arranged by ride and then alphabetically. 

Photos are of individual rides within Astroland.  They are filed both in open file folders as well as in file envelopes depending on the amount of pictures. The photos are taken of active rides as well as inactive rides.  Rides pictured include but are not limited to:  Tilt-a-Whirl, Enterprise, Astrotower, Break Dance, Himalaya, Kiddy Park, so on and so forth. 

Series 11: Scenery, ½ Box, .25 cubic feet

This series is comprised of various photographs of scenic views around Astroland Amusement park and the area of Coney Island.  Topics include Astroland signs, Coney Island at night, post cards with photographs on them, and pictures taken around and of Astroland Amusement Park. 

Series 12: Special Events, 3 boxes, 1.5 cubic foot.  Series arranged by event title. 

These photos are of events that took place in Astroland (as well as Coney Island) over the years.  Highlights include ‘Circus Day’, ‘Annual Twins and Multiples Day’, opening days over the years.  Smaller events, where pictures were taken, are also catalogued in individual folders. 

Sub-Group III: Scrapbooks                                                                                                                                                    6 bxs; 3 cu. ft.

Series 13: Bound scrapbooks (oversized), Inclusive dates: 1970-2006

There are a series of 15 scrapbooks here, titled and untitled, some of which are still being dismantled and re-housed by the college conservator.  Scrapbooks range from 1971 to 2006, the earliest of which, “Scrapbook C,” ranges from 1971-1981. They cover events such as the day Dewey Albert purchased  operating rights to the Cyclone and added it to the splendor of Astroland; also included are events for handicapped children at Astroland, “Fire at Astroland,” and an article on an employee falling to his death.  Clipping include the Cyclone, proposed baseball stadium in Coney Island, Police Anchor Day in Astroland, roller coaster record of rides being broken, fashion shows in Astroland, Cyclone birthdays, letters of thanks to Astroland from a series of organizations, air shows, and cultural events that took place in the park.

The last of the scrapbooks covers the years of 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2006.  Topics and events include Palm Sunday 2005, opening weekends, Siren festival, Twins Day, Liza Minnelli’s performance at Astroland and, finally, articles on Thor Equities acquiring Astroland. 

There are also articles from newspapers and magazines.  Dates range from 1983-2003, with some that remain undated.  The files are in order in which the articles were originally placed by the creator of the collection.  Subjects of the articles include, rides, leasing rides, restoration of rides, reviews of the Cyclone roller coaster, air shows that took place at Astroland, games at Astroland and different events that take place at Astroland.  Because these items were organized by the donor and creator, there are some pictures that have been included within it.  

Sub-Group IV:  Awards / Plaques / Certificates, Inclusive dates: undated                                     3 bxs; 1.5 cu.ft.

Series 14: Awards / Plaques, 2 oversized box, 1 cubic foot.  Arranged by size. 

This series contains a plethora of plaques given in recognition of dedication to the community over the years and were presented to the Albert family and to Astroland Amusement Park.

Series 15: Certificates, 1 box, 1 cubic foot.  Arranged in alphabetical order. 

This series includes a number of proclamations by the office of the Mayor and from the Borough of Brooklyn President with autographed photos/posters of Air Show troops and their members. 

Sub-Group V: Videos                                                                                                                                                             15 bxs; 7.5 cu.ft.

Series 16: Commercials, Inclusive dates: 1970-2008, 3 Boxes, 1.5 Cubic feet. Assorted Arrangement. 

The videos here all contain commercials which took place at Astroland or for Astroland.  Many of them are commercials appealing to the public to visit Astroland.  The early commercials show average New Yorkers talking about going to Astroland, while the later ones contain jingles sung (or rapped) to entice the public with great deals for tickets to Astroland.  One of the commercials is in a foreign language.  Also, when nearing the end of these commercials, there is occasionally a brief clip of an upcoming event advertising things like the Mermaid parade, or Friday night fireworks.  There are also commercials that have took place at Astroland like a Dr. Pepper soft drink commercial that used Astroland as the background, and a commercial starring Billy Crystal on a visit to Astroland while trying to promote New York as the site for the 2012 Olympics. 

Series 17: Cyclone, 1 Box, .5 Cubic feet.  Assorted arrangement.

This series focuses on the Cyclone rollercoaster.  There are videos about the Cyclone and videos of events for the Cyclone.  The events that are on video have events such as the Cyclone’s 70^th and 75^th anniversary.  There are also several videos of parties that were thrown in honor of the anniversary of the Cyclone and its longevity. 

Series 18: Events, 3 Boxes, 1.5 cubic feet.  Somewhat alphabetical.

This series of 4 boxes describe some of the events that have taken place at Astroland, such as the Astroland Mermaid Parade, miscellaneous events, Astroland Fireworks & Air show, and Rugrats at Astroland.  Some videos contain first hand filmed events shot and produced as live footage, while others with events that occurred earlier are edited.  The Mermaid Parade, Rugrats at Astroland, and the Fireworks & Air show are live with film production.  The miscellaneous box contains videos of the X-games at Coney Island, tattoo contests, a lil’ G n’ R cover band performance, U.S. Navy Band performance, and others.  These videos are mostly shot live.    

Series 19: History of… & Documentaries, 7 videos, Alphabetical arrangement.

This series contains the history of Coney Island and Astroland, a documentary on an aspect of Astroland and what occurred there.  Particular documentaries concern Wild Girls Go Go Rama about a group of dancers who put on shows in Astroland.  Others contain an in-depth looks at how Coney Island began and how it evolved from the early amusement parks to present day Astroland.  The other videos examine in depth certain aspects of Astroland, Coney Island documentaries on the Astro Tower, and the renovations to the Parachute Jump.

Series 20: Movies, 3 videos.  Series arranged alphabetically by title.

This series has several full-length movies, and a rough cut of a filmed motion picture missing the audio track.  The movies are The Goodbye People (1984), and Streets of Gold (1987) and The Wiz (1981).  All these movies either take place in Coney Island at Astroland, or contain a scene or two that takes place there.  The Wiz has a scene at the Cyclone ride where they come across the Tin Man; Streets of Gold and The Goodbye People both take place on the boardwalk or at the beach.  Both films show Astroland and Coney Island.  This is also true for the rough-cut film which was not finished and in which the whole scene revolves around rides and games in Astroland. 

Series 21: News, 5 Boxes, 2.5 Cubic feet.  Somewhat alphabetical.

There videos here are on VHS, and 2 on CD.  New York City’s local news channels (like Fox 5, NY 1, UPN 9, Channel 7) taped various events at Astroland.  There are even some news items on people taking trips to Astroland for the first time as well as videos on the opening day of Astroland, rides, anniversaries of Astroland, events like Twins and Multiples day or Mermaid Parade.  There is even data on the closing of Astroland and Thor Equities development plans. 

Series 22: Promotion, 2 Boxes, 1 cubic foot.  Assorted arrangement. 

This series contains videos on promotion at Astroland, Coney Island, many of them about groups performing there.  There are promotions for BMX bicycle riders, family circus groups, entertainment groups, singers, acrobatic stage performers, etc.  There are rough-cut videos for promotion of events that occurred at Astroland; promotions of specific events like the annual Siren Fest; and short spots describing certain events. 

Series 23: TV Shows, 1 Box, .5 Cubic feet.  Assorted arrangement.     

The tapes here involve Astroland and Coney Island on television shows.   They range from talk shows like Conan O’Brien, reality shows, New York travel shows, like Subway Q & A, Travel Channel, and Born American Living Channel, where there are highlights of New York and what to visit in New York, such as Astroland.  Some of them depict Astroland as the place not to miss if you live or are visiting New York.  None of the shows are prime time television series.  

Sub-Group VI: Miscellaneous Media                                                                                                                                      1 bx.; .5 cu.ft.

Series 24: CDs, Inclusive dates: 2006-undated. Assorted arrangement.  ½ box, .25 cubic feet.

This series includes photographs of the Cyclone’s 75^th Anniversary and the first drop of the roller coaster (with edited and non-edited photos) in addition to Astroland’s Fourth Annual Twin Day held on July 23^rd, 2006.  Also on view are a mailing list (2007) from the Astroland organizers and a CD with seven TV spots for 2008 featuring Astroland Park. 

Series 25: Slides / Negatives. Assorted arrangement.  ½ box, .25 cubic foot. 

Series 25 has slides of aerial stunts by different stunt parachuting teams.  There are also images by photographer Todd Maisel dated May of 1992.