Brooklyn’s New York Aquarium

Hey everyone, welcome back to *Brooklyn Echoes*, the podcast that keeps the borough’s legends and memories alive. I’m your host, Robert Henriksen. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to a deep dive into the watery wonders of Brooklyn’s New York Aquarium. From the bustling 1950s revival of Coney Island to the innovative expansions of the early 2000s, this iconic institution has mirrored the ebbs and flows of New York City’s coastal spirit. Operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, it’s more than a collection of tanks—it’s a hub of education, research, and conservation that has captivated millions. Let’s swim through five decades of history, from relocation thrills to stormy challenges, all set against the salty backdrop of the Atlantic.

We begin in the 1950s, a time of post-war optimism and urban renewal. The aquarium’s original home at Castle Clinton in Manhattan’s Battery Park had shuttered in 1941 to make way for the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, with its finned and scaled residents temporarily bunking at the Bronx Zoo. For 16 long years, the facility lay dormant, but visionaries like Robert Moses saw potential in revitalizing Coney Island. Construction kicked off in 1954 on a 14-acre site along the Riegelmann Boardwalk, transforming parkland into a modern marvel at a cost of around $9 million. On June 6, 1957, the New York Aquarium reopened its doors—or rather, its gates—to throngs of eager visitors. Gone was the free admission of old; now, folks paid a fee to gaze at hundreds of species, from tropical tangs to arctic cod, swimming in 1.25 million gallons of seawater. That first school season alone drew over 400,000 wide-eyed children, sparking a love for marine life amid the carnival chaos nearby. Under director Christopher W. Coates, who helmed from 1956 to 1964, highlights included the historic Bathysphere exhibit, a nod to deep-sea explorers William Beebe and Otis Barton.

As the swinging 1960s dawned, the aquarium dove deeper into science and spectacle. In 1965, groundbreaking began on the Osborn Laboratories of Marine Sciences (OLMS), a state-of-the-art research facility named after Henry Fairfield Osborn. Opening in 1967, it became a powerhouse for studies on dolphin cognition, shark tagging via satellites, coral reef ecology, and even marine pharmacology—like isolating anticancer compounds from sea cucumbers. But not all experiments swam smoothly: In 1968, an orca was briefly housed here, only to succumb to possible pneumonia, followed by a narwhal in 1969 facing the same fate. These short-lived attempts highlighted the challenges of keeping large marine mammals in captivity, a lesson that would echo through the decades. Still, attendance boomed, with the aquarium serving as a beacon of education amid Coney Island’s evolving amusement scene.

The 1970s brought breakthroughs in breeding and conservation, under directors like James Arthur Oliver from 1970 to 1976. Beluga whales, first exhibited in 1961, stole the show when the aquarium celebrated the birth of the world’s first captive-bred beluga in 1972—a milestone in understanding these gentle giants. Research at OLMS continued to flourish, from fish genetics to ecological studies, positioning the facility as a leader in marine science. Yet, urban decay crept into Coney Island, with declining crowds testing the aquarium’s resilience. It adapted by emphasizing family-friendly experiences, drawing on its 1.25 million gallons to showcase diverse ecosystems from temperate rivers to icy polar waters.

By the 1980s, innovation took center stage. In 1986, groundbreaking occurred for Discovery Cove, a hands-on educational zone aimed at inspiring young minds about ocean conservation. This era, under evolving leadership, focused on interactive learning, turning passive viewing into active engagement. The aquarium weathered economic ups and downs, but its commitment to research—such as ongoing work on shark behaviors and coral health—kept it afloat. Visitors could now touch starfish or learn about tide pools, blending thrill with teaching in true New York style.

The 1990s marked a wave of expansion and artistic flair. In 1993, the Sea Cliffs exhibit debuted, an outdoor rocky habitat sprawling across acres, home to walruses, harbor seals, sea otters, and penguins. This immersive setup let animals frolic in naturalistic pools, delighting crowds with underwater views and playful antics. To commemorate it, artist Toshio Sasaki unveiled the “Symphony of the Sea” sculpture in 1992—a 332-foot-long concrete wall adorned with terrazzo waves, fish motifs, and evolutionary symbols, funded by the city’s Percent for Art program. Directors like Paul L. Montreuil oversaw these growth spurts, boosting attendance and reinforcing the aquarium’s role in wildlife preservation. Challenges included maintaining aging infrastructure, but grants and partnerships kept the momentum going.

Finally, the 2000s ushered in a new millennium of modernization and milestones. Alien Stingers opened in 2002, mesmerizing guests with ethereal jellyfish pulsing in dark tanks. Glover’s Reef followed in 2004, recreating Belize’s vibrant coral ecosystems to highlight biodiversity threats. Beluga exhibitions wrapped up in 2005, with the whales transferred to the Georgia Aquarium for breeding programs in 2007. That same year, a Pacific walrus named Akituusaq was born—the first at the facility—symbolizing breeding successes. Ambitious redesigns were afoot: A 2006 competition yielded futuristic plans for a whale-shaped enclosure, but costs scrapped it by 2008, pivoting to the Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit. Groundbreaking delayed until after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, but the 2000s laid the groundwork for this shark-focused spectacle. Through it all, the aquarium evolved under leaders like Louis E. Garibaldi, emphasizing conservation via programs like New York Seascape, protecting local waters from Cape May to Montauk.

From its 1957 rebirth to the turn-of-the-century innovations, the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn has weathered storms—literal and figurative—to remain a jewel of education and wonder. It’s a testament to human curiosity about the deep blue, inspiring generations to protect our oceans. Next time you’re in Coney Island, dip in and see the legacy swim on. Thanks for joining this aquatic adventure!

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