Music Pavilion, ca.1880, v1972.1.545; Photography Collection, ARC.201; Brooklyn Historical Society.

This stereoscopic photograph shows a crowd watching a performance at an outdoor stage in Brighton Beach. The various resorts on Coney Island were home to many musical performances and other amusements. Anton Seidl conducted at this venue fourteen times per week. Unfortunately, this building was “seriously menaced” by a storm in 1896 and Seidl never conducted there again. But the next time you go to a concert in Prospect Park or on the Williamsburg waterfront, remember that you are part of a long tradition of Brooklynites enjoying music outdoors.

The records of the Seidl Society, a group which sponsored Seidl’s performances at Brighton Beach and elsewhere, are available for researchers in BHS’s Othmer Library. Read more about those material here, and make an appointment if you would like to access the collection.