
Opening Day Ceremonies at the New York Aquarium at Coney Island

( Courtesy of the Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Collection. )
Fairfield Osborn, president of the New York Zoological Society, calls upon Mayor Robert F. Wagner, Brooklyn Borough President John Cashmore, and Commissioner of Parks Robert Moses to speak at the opening the New York Aquarium at Coney Island.. The program concludes with a ribbon cutting by a black-footed penguin named Annie.
After the national anthem, Osborn begins the ceremony by thanking those involved in the project and calls for more support for planned expansions. "It is the beginning of an institution, which, if we can get the support which we pray for, hope for and must have, will grow into the most incomparable institution of its kind anywhere in this country, or for that matter, anywhere in the world."
Next Mayor Wagner gives a short history of New York's long-held "interest in the creatures of the sea" from a sea cow on exhibit in 1809 to the closing of Aquarium at Battery Park in 1941. He is optimistic for the next phases of construction and reiterates the city's commitment to this project.
John Cashmore welcomes Robert Moses and his wife back from a recent trip to Italy and describes him as the modern day Leonardo da Vinci of the United States, "Bob when I want something in the board of estimate, I wish you'd remember those remarks." He emphasizes the importance of building the aquarium at Coney Island to the Borough of Brooklyn, and thanks those who "put the money up." He jokes about the Mayor having to leave early because he is running for office, "So am I by the way!"
Robert Moses speaks more generally about conservation of ocean-front land along Long Island, "the errors of the past, reckless alienation of town lands followed by uncontrolled private exploitation are things of the past, but we still have the problem of recapture and rehabilitation."
He calls on the confinement of the "old Coney Island" associated with "Honky-tonks, cheap catchpenny mechanical devices, waterfront dives, raucous barkers, freak shows and artificial excitement, not that there is no place for such stuff." Moses heralds the Aquarium as the keystone in this new family-friendly beach resort.
After Robert Moses speaks, a WNYC announcer describes the melee as a penguin named Annie "cuts" the ribbon and opens the aquarium to the public. Annie bites the ribbon which has a smelt (a fish) wrapped inside.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150510
Municipal archives id: LT7646
This is a machine-generated transcript. Text is unformatted and may contain errors.
All the new death tax note the first the American flag up. The birth marry the point where the fact that you've got thirty the American thought that you're the during the in. The rural during her heart the during the birth all our world or are. Certain. You're the perks. I go. Into You. Know this says a great day which. I thank everybody in New Yawk and I also thank a lot of people small rock country been waiting for. A voice in the life of the city is being felt I want to express profound appreciation. To the officials of the government of the city of New Yawk. To the man the man is a bot of estimate the commission of Moses and the staff of all of the pop. I want to express appreciation on behalf of all of us so I own members of our board of trustees new young so logical society who so that spent my generosity beheaded by our Chairman of the exact Committee launched Rockefeller and joined in by I bought is a hall I made this wonderful event possible today. This is a day to itself. But at the same time this is the promise of tomorrow. You will and a shot laid the very days of a new New York Aquarium. It is the beginning of an institution which if we can get the support which we pray for our hope for and must have will grow into the most incomparable institution of its kind anywhere in this country or for that matter anywhere in the world. It's wonderful to have their representatives in the city with us including male Wagner the mad Tell me a few minutes ago that he had to get back to City Hall as early as he could to Safa known other official obligations Consequently the program instead of its auto ads given I'm going to call on Mel lag now but I'd like to say to you Sarah. That you have no idea what it's meant to our private institution to be working with the present city government I really cannot put that into words we've had your support we've had your belief and we've had your help I have great honor in calling upon my lag now. Very much thank you very much Mr I've been actually for being kind enough to take me out of water here to Rockefeller or a president Cashmore my colleagues on the bought of estimate commission a Moses members of the board and friends New Yorkers have long had an interest in the creatures of the sea it is amusing to recall that AC cattle was exhibited in a city as early as eight hundred and nine the fabulous bonum advertised a genuine mermaid in eighteen forty one and that's bridge the gap between man and marine life. In the centennial year of eighteen seventy six a commercial aquarium was opened up the corner of Broadway and thirty fifth Street and a few years later a seaside aquarium was established right here in Coney Island. Just before the turn of the century the city government got busy and opened the aquarium at Battery Park in one team three It asked the New York Zoological Society to take over its management this institution proved an enormous success attracting more than eighty six million visitors during the forty years it was operated by the zoo a logical society in fact it proved one of the great wonders of New York. Then came the construction of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel which forced the closing of the old aquarium in one thousand nine hundred one then came the second world war and its aftermath the Korean War So we New Yorkers have had to wait all these years for this great day this afternoon we dedicate the first stage of this new aquarium which as it grows and develops gives promise of being the most incomparable institution of its kind in this country or indeed in the world we can we congratulate the New York Zoological Society and society and what it has accomplished the city is glad to have a partner which through its operation of the Bronx Zoo And now this new aquarium is so wonderfully serving the interests of every New Yorker and I know every New Yorker thanks you Mr I've been to Mr Rockefeller and all associated with you for your help may God bless you and may we go on to the other stages just as rapidly as possible thank you very much. It's a great time looking forward to calling on the Honorable John Cash not president of the barrel Brooklyn and I looked up my encyclopedias like Smalling a little bit I didn't have time to finish but as I recall the bar of Brooklyn having so long three million people write about I don't know about the sixteenth largest city in the world by itself second. I'd like to make an aside to. Generalize and present above the Bronx that. Jamma I'd just like to say that just because I'm moving down this way doesn't mean that that's deep affection for the Bronx is going to diminish at all. A lot of them correctly now. There's a rumor Honorable John Cash mama that the borrowed Brooklyn is glad to have us come this way I can had any confirmation on our behalf and I'm wondering whether you can say something about that I have great pleasure in calling on Honorable John Cash Mark sucked. Thank you Mr I was born. My colleague. Jim Lyons The borrow president of the prompter. And Jim Landini of our president of Queen. Mr Rockefeller our great band over there the fire department band let's give them a hand us on their time they thank you and Mrs and Commissioner Bob Moses Bob. Square glad that you and Mrs Moshe's have finally returned from Italy only yesterday and you're here and I presumed that while you were over there in it lady you'll probably want to Genoa and you're so all right painting on a wall by one of the great artists of that century that was Leonardo da Vinci and he was known as the man who invented the wheel barrel the fire homage one of the great painters of these days. And a great planet that's going back about four hundred years ago but they only have the the painting and their plate but we have right here on this platform that Leonardo da Vinci in price in the United States Bob Moses. Thank you. Bob when I want something in the Board of Estimate I wish you'd remember about three months. Now ladies and gentlemen of the greatest cities greatest borrow the Borrow apartment. First of all I want to congratulate commissioner Moses and they are so illogical society for their decision to locate this splendid attraction at Coney Island now from the time of the fish were dispossessed from back replies I want to have them come to Brooklyn despite the fact that there was some sentiment for locating the aquarium in the Bronx are somewhat of a part of the city now I think we made it obvious to man Wagner and the rest of the members of the Board of Estimate that nowhere could be aquarium attract the crowds that it will attract Coney Island now I'd just like to leave that for a minute Bob and show you. We made a mistake not in Brooklyn but there's the logical society and yourself because somewheres in Washington. Very far to our Navy Yard as the no York Navy Yard and everybody in the United States knows it is for Brooklyn Navy Yard. And when you go through the Battery Tunnel we make pretty sure that it was called the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel Now you can call this the New York Aquarium but the people of Brooklyn will handle it and in my opinion it will be known as the Brooklyn aquarium or the Coney Island aquarium there's no question about that because many many years ago there was another power present besides John Kerry Smart and his name was Riggleman and he called it the Riggleman boardwalk but everybody knows it's the Coney Island boardwalk. Now T.O. wrist America just had to leave here because he's running for office. So my bought a white. I extend my thanks not only for his leadership in this particular improvement for his continued awareness of Brooklyn's needs on Brooklyn's pro Chantry all of these in the life of the city of New York now it's all too seldom that we are privileged to dedicate an educational institution such as this where half of the cost is carried by voluntary contributions. Public spirited service and who are Netscape's are members of the so a logical society these ladies and gentlemen are worthy of our deepest gratitude and at this time may I let's hear a little applause for the people who put the money up. All right. This is one of our consul in here ready to go he's running for office. This hour running with you about a man that couldn't be fighting every didn't say that I wouldn't reduce the next time. Now I think our good part there you are that says the logical society itself will come from there realize ation that this aquarium we down to create here today will be a landmark of New York through the years to come. It will be enjoyed by our children and our children's children and in this realize they can there is satisfaction sufficient enough for all who have labored to make this possible and if there's anybody who doubts for one second. That this is the wrong place just take a look over there at the ten thousand people that your god only have at Coney Island and no one has else in the city of New York thank you very much. By the way Mr Cashmore you now you won't have any trouble about thinking whether we're going to leave that bar or not we had to stay you get my point. Years ago Bob Moses had a dream a good really very canary conception and I'm sure he and John Cash much Chad. But it was that the new a crime should be on the lave all the litter Ryle all the sides of the Atlantic Ocean and so wonderful dream and now to wonderful reality there are a lot of skepticism everybody's in love with the old aquarium the battery but here we are and I must say a tremendous tribute Well the bob which used to be called Layer Nadal. But no tell us something else is that now sit down we won't go into that but here we are and largely due to the tremendous energy invasion in the House of Robert Moses to Mr Parks he all of his staff right up and down through a bend of invaluable help to us it was all logical society and bringing into being watch you're going to enjoy today and the public is going to start to enjoy from here out this crisp Celts but in perpetuity to Mamani great honor and calling upon commission a most. Fair Osborne and. Ladies and gentlemen. I shall not attempt to repeat what has been so eloquently said about this occasion. Which will confine my few remarks to water as a public official involved in several ways with our Long Island ocean front is the significance of the establishment of the aquarium of Coney Island. And we ought to Atlantic liberal. From Staten Island South Shore to Montauk is a priceless natural asset which must be preserved largely in public ownership for the future recreation of a rapidly growing population. The errors of the past reckless alienation of town lands followed by uncontrolled private exploitation things of the past but we still have the problem of recapture and rehabilitation today due largely to initiate a far planners in the cooperation of many public officials and we have saved thirty eight miles out of a total of fifty six miles from Princess Bay in Staten Island to the Old Fire Island State Park it has taken some thirty three years to do this and the end is not yet the public beaches are all there for all to enjoy but Coney Island Brighton and Hatton Rockaway Opry eminently the places for masses of people will come by rapid transit and here we must be ready for peak loads in summer as well as increasing year round residents Tony has been the toughest problem of cause we have had a bad name to contend with a name for use associated with honky tonks cheap catch penny mechanical devices waterfront dives raucous Fockers freak Shales an artificial excitement. Not that there is no place for such stuff but it must be confined controlled policed not allowed to spread and drag down the entire community there is indeed a new Coney Island for healthful outdoor recreation and a year round community an Ocean Resort in the very best American tradition. The aquarium gives Coney Island just the remaining lift it needs the fine distinction it deserves the supreme attraction to visitors driving over the great Belt Parkway an expressway system which before long will be recognized as unique in metropolitan travel. Brooklyn may or may not of lost the Dodgers but it will soon boast the finest aquarium in the world approach by the way of the most magnificent suspension bridge conceived and built by the hand of man. There are still owes who do not realize that with the opening of the now Rose bridge Brooklyn nominally the western terminus of Long Island will be the biggest municipality on the main thoroughfare of the Eastern Seaboard. I venture to predict that even the skeptics will take great pride in these undertakings and I perhaps I should interpret late here that in a democracy such as ours differences on public matters rarely extend to personal animosity and grudges that's the way we play the game here in the end there is a generous acceptance of the verdict and we're ready for the next contest. For the public spirited trustees and generous supporters of the New York so logical society partners in this first stage of a great enterprise or supply of resources and talents which no money can buy I offer a tribute of admiration and friendship on this notable and auspicious day if I may single out a few for a special credit I would mention Fairfield Osborn and Lawrence Rockefeller as officers of the society John T. baton Christopher cults a staff heads Wallace Harrison and Max Abramovitz says designers and Stuart constable and Louise Sanderson as representatives of the park department and now let us introduce the dwellers on earth to the mysterious denizens of the illimitable seas always seem in many ways to water their element a great deal better than we do ours. We're going to mold a. Ribbon cutting ceremony. I'm. Going to write. Something more than that. It takes a little time now for the guest to leave the spend and get over to the ribbon cutting where any of the penguin is holding forth and having heard great moment for our present tense more broadly. Than about Robert Moses our president of the Bronx with the aquarium really went up to the Bronx you know. MARY MCDONALD of our special events bureau asked me to bring the pregnant penguin back with me she saw the popularity of the penguin right here in the police protection should know there was a chance in the world of anybody getting that penguin and it will finally go back to its home and he comes from the old aquarium at the battery and it's very fitting indeed that this very solemn bird would participate in this ceremony here today the outstanding feature of this ceremony of course is the anxious face of the youngsters the kids that are right up against that ribbon on the very moment it's snipped why they're going to see that aquarium forest or else they're getting together now for the ribbon cutting and it's only a mirror sort of mother but we like to bring you the picture in the program today Fairfield Osborn president New York as a logical society presided animals and John Cashmore borough president the borough Brooklyn president Lyons of the borough of the Bronx the Honorable Robert Moses who was created Leonardo da Vinci Moses here at the aquarium today on Coney Island boardwalk it is right on the boardwalk and I think the fish if they have windows in their tank they can look out the ocean and decide that they got it better right here in the aquarium with no board bills or anything to worry about temperatures or anything else on protection which is very important and now we're getting ready for the big moment present Cashmore is up there and. In just a few moments now Andy the Penguin will be up there here's the Penguin and. There goes the penguin up to the ribbon cutting. As more looks as though it's like the Penguin the bite of. There's a problem with here the chair is a penguin. Will be one of the penguin could talk and give us the idea what a penguin thinks of all. Any how do you do Alison man. Any lives in your own aquarium. In continuity in progress everything we do you know so much to society but the animals where they belong on. What you please now you know that job opening this. The camera men are demanding a moment that they can take part maybe they can take a picture and while any abstention bleak up the ribbon there she is right on the ribbon now and she doesn't like it one bit because they're holding her possibly or not as gently as they might so she won't fly away or she's putting on quite a show. Now there goes any cutting the ribbon crowd. Fairfield Osborn and I want to feel I was born to bring any back again for a picture but the ribbon is cut those wonderful kids are building it right into the aquarium now and one of the finest or exhibitions of its kind in the world will be the ultimate result of this aquarium here at Coney Island today called the New York Aquarium But you heard the objections of our patriotic borough president Cashmore and while it is officially the New York Aquarium I think it's going to wind up as the Coney Island aquarium it's right on the boardwalk and it could step from the sunshine and fresh air into the aquarium and see all the other fish that are swimming out there in the sea intimate relationship to the ocean and the scene itself that's all we're bob got to tell you now and he is still posing for the photographers and she has much of a penguin could say entry plane hurry up I want to get out of here. As I cut the ribbon again just for the photographers could do it there was a few late photographers. There is Dean Raman who's wonderful book that tells us all about the story of the harbor and the tugboat and above all the wonderful history of Iran's Manoli the rightful claim here in the early days of my early beginnings and now are really one of the outstanding features of the waterfront of New York and the brand tugs and all the other one that will tugs and do such tremendous work in this borrowed the city this wonderful place of commerce and industry Mr Patterson and all the other distinguished guests the mare the city of New York the animal Robert F. Wagner had to leave a little early because of the mandatory hearing but now the NE The penguin is officiated and we have to leave the penguin with the custodians of the aquarium and there's a fire department band we take leave of you from Coney Island and the Coney Island aquarium and we've heard you're not of the studios in the municipal building.