Sandwiched In with Ron Brown - Coney Island: The World's First People's Playground

The rich of New York City have always carved out neighborhoods, private clubs, mansions, and restricted beach fronts for their exclusive use. During the Gilded Age, however, the poor of the city were relegated to the slums of the The Five Points, The Lower East Side, and Hell's Kitchen. But by the end of the 1800s the poor of the city could rustle up five cents, get on the newly built Manhattan-Brooklyn Railroad, cross the new Brooklyn Bridge, and flee their tenements. By the millions, they flocked to Coney Island. Every ride, adventure, and snack was a nickel. For the first time working class Jews, Germans, Slavs, Hungarians, English and Irish (but no African-Americans) could escape their poverty, labors, and ethnic ghettos. And everything was only a nickel. Join Professor Ron Brown for this exploration of Coney Island.  (Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)

Please note that this will be a hybrid event. Participants are invited to join us in person or via Zoom.

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