** The picture is titled Col. Richmond A. Skinner (beside a picture of his father, Ernest Skinner) and Vice President Richard Kennedy. The picture was published by the Ann Arbor Observer (link), in October 1990. Note: The author of the article did not correctly write the name. Instead of Richmond H. Skinner, the author inaccurately wrote and published the name as Richmond A. Skinner.
According to The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge, Newly Revised, Sixth Edition, page 738, (ISBN-10: 0943855446), the short biography of Mr. Richard H. Skinner, better known as Dick, born in the year 1898 and died in the year 1986, reads as follows. ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) President 1944, member ACBL Executive Committee from its formation through 1944, President Mid_Atlantic Bridge Association, Keystone Conference, New England Bridge Association. Civil Engineer by training, he had varied careers. United States Army officer, pipe organ builder and installer, pilot and flying instructor, top flight tennis player and referee, who was awarded the JT McGovern Cup for national tennis umpire, and longtime member of the New Hampshire Legislature. He invented Skinner Psychic Controls, Skinner Responses to a 1 No Trump Opening, Skinner Two-Bids, and originated a point-count method in 1932, in which an Ace was assigned 5 points, a King 3 points, a Queen 2 points, and a Jack 1 point. His victories include the Eastern States Knockout Teams in 1940 and several regionals.
Contributions by Mr. John Elwood On October 6, 2011, Mr. John Elwood contributed valuable and additional information as to the person of Mr. Richmond Hastings Skinner. This contribution is greatly appreciated and, as a result, more information has been uncovered and, most importantly, Mr. John Elwood discovered a picture of Mr. Richmond Hastings Skinner. The following is a chronological listing for his career as a pipe organ builder and also as an installer, as mentioned in the short biography of the ACBL. Source. 1931 Serlo Organ Hall, the "Great Organ", and the organ factory building were purchased by organbuilder Ernest M. Skinner of West Newton, Massachusetts from Mrs. Francis Martin Andrew [Mrs. Lillian (Wightman) Andrew] on Wednesday, February 4. Alexander McCurdy performed a recital on the "Great Organ" of the "Serlo Hall" on the evening of Thursday, November 5. 1933 A mortgage on the Serlo Organ Hall and the organ factory building was given by Richmond H. Skinner to the Essex Savings Bank of Lawrence on Friday, January 13. Everett E. Truette died on Saturday, December 16, at age 72, in Brookline, Massachusetts. 1936 Ernest M. Skinner and his son, Richmond H. Skinner, established "The Ernest M. Skinner and Son Company" organ building company in the organ factory building adjoining the Serlo Organ Hall. E. Power Biggs performed recitals on the "Great Organ" of the "Methuen Organ Hall" on the Sunday afternoons of July 19 and 26 at 4:00 P.M. 1937 The Ernest M. Skinner and Son Company was awarded the contract to build the organ for the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C. E. Power Biggs performed recitals on the "Great Organ" of the "Methuen Organ Hall" on the Sunday afternoons of July 11, 18, 25 and August 1 at 4:00 P.M. 1938 The Ernest M. Skinner and Son Company organ in the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. was dedicated on Thursday, November 10. 1941 A two-manual organ for Saint Peter's Church, Beverly, Massachusetts, was the last built by the Ernest M. Skinner and Son Company in Methuen. 1942 On Monday, June 1, the War Production Board issued an order that mandated the conversion of the entire musical instrument manufacturing industry to defense work effective Wednesday, July 1. All organ builders were ordered to convert to producing blowers for link trainers used in the ground training of pilots. In August, the Ernest M. Skinner and Son
Company transferred all of its assets to Arthur T. Wasserman and Matthew Brown as trustees to protect itself from creditors. The Ernest M. Skinner and Son Company ceased operations in the Methuen organ factory building, declared bankruptcy and closed on Thursday, October 1. 1943 A land court decree was issued in May, empowering the Essex Savings Bank of Lawrence to sell the Serlo Organ Hall and organ factory building as properties covered by two mortgages: one given by Mr. Francis Martin Andrew and Mrs. Francis Martin Andrew [Mrs. Lillian (Wightman) Andrew], and the other given by Richmond H. Skinner. The organ factory building was destroyed by a general alarm fire on Thursday, June 17. On Friday, July 2, the Essex Savings Bank acquired title to the Serlo Organ Hall and the surrounding land at the mortgage foreclosure public auction for $55,000. 1946 The Articles of Organization of the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Inc. were filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Monday, May 6. The officers of the corporation were Reverend Theophilus Ringsmuth, President; B. Allen Rowland, Vice President; Philip F. Danforth, Treasurer; and Mary G. Watts, Secretary. A Certificate of Incorporation of the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Inc. was issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Wednesday, June 12. The Serlo Organ Hall and the surrounding land were purchased by Alfred Calvin Gaunt from the Essex Savings Bank on Friday, June 14. The Serlo Organ Hall and the immediate surrounding property were given by Alfred Calvin Gaunt to the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Inc. on Friday, June 14. The Serlo Organ Hall was renamed the Methuen Memorial Music Hall. A contract was signed on Monday, July 8 with the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc. of Boston to rebuild the "Great Organ" to specifications prepared by Arthur Howes, Carl Weinrich and Ernest White for $24,500. A steam heating system was installed with an oil-fired cast-iron boiler and cast-iron radiators. Ownership of two tracts of land was transferred from Alfred Calvin Gaunt to the Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Inc. on Friday, December 13. The first tract was land on the east side of the Spicket River south and west of the hall. The second tract was land on the west side of the Spicket River fronting on Union and River Streets. 1960 Organ builder Ernest M. Skinner died on Sunday, November 27, at age 94, in Duxbury, Massachusetts. 1986 Richmond Hastings Skinner died in March, at age 88, in Dallas, Texas.
Skinner Organ Opus 637 The following is posted on the website of the Skinner Organ Opus 637, and is only archived and preserved on this site for future reference. It concerns the history of the vintage Skinner Organ and the story about not only the preservation of this pipe organ, but also its restoration. A combination of rarity, reputation, and pure musical merit means a Skinner Organ is a prestige piece. These are the things upon which reputations are built, and why they are still sought eighty years later. Harvard University recently embarked on the installation of a vintage Skinner as part of a three million dollar organ project. The vast expense of a pipe organ, especially a rare instrument such as an E.M. Skinner, means few private institutions let alone a public school would ever consider one today but they are a worthwhile investment. At one time, no public secondary school was considered complete without a pipe organ. Most were factory made commercial models, and public high schools in Newark, Irvington, Kearny and no less than thirty high schools in New York City had pipe organs! Most are long gone, victims of fashion change and the expensive repair they require after years of use. The purpose these organs once served still exists, and even a modest organ would enhance any music education program. Columbia High School was lucky to have been one of the few public schools to have purchased a Skinner organ, though it was the default decision for most prestigious colleges and universities. Columbia High School has an excellent music program which will no doubt be enhanced through renewed use of this world-class instrument. An organ is a key part of any good symphony, which is why the Cleveland Orchestra invested millions in restoring the E.M. Skinner at Severance Hall recently. An organ is a fine backup for a choral recital, and this organ was design in part for that type of use. The techniques used learning to play the organ are useful for any keyboard instrument, and the organ can be incorporated into many levels of music education. From the Parnassian Society playing musical interludes between the scenes of a radio drama, to a Phantom of the Opera all-school musical, there are numerous ways this organ will enhance existing school programs. The fact that this is an E.M. Skinner organ just brings it to another level. The usefulness of this organ is not limited to the student body. As part of an outreach to local community groups, numerous synergistic relationships have been explored. We have engaged in interesting conversations with the South Orange Maplewood Adult School, the South Orange Symphony, Montclair State University, and ArtsMaplewood.
Organ Historical Society
Organ Historical Society This Organ built by Skinner Organ Company of Boston, Masachusetts in the year 1927 has been selected for recognition as an instrument of exceptional historic merit, worth of preservation. This plaque is to be held in trust for the Organ Historical Society by the owner of this organ, as long as the instrument is maintained in a manner consistent with its historical significance. Signatory Laurence Libin It is signed by Laurence Libin, who is Curator Emeritus of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Editor-In-Chief of the Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments, Oxford University Press.
Pictures of the Skinner Organ Opus 637
Additional Information Request Hastings Skinner was also a United States Army officer. Any contribution of additional information regarding the time period of his military service would be appreciated. Hastings Skinner was also a pilot and flying instructor. Any contribution of additional information regarding the time period of his military service would be appreciated. Hastings Skinner was also a top flight tennis player. Any contribution of additional information regarding the time period of his military service would be appreciated. Hastings Skinner was also a national tennis umpire, who was awarded the Jt McGovern Cup. Any contribution of additional information regarding the time period of his military service would be appreciated. Hastings Skinner was also a longtime member of the New Hampshire Legislature. Any contribution of additional information regarding the time period of his military service would be appreciated.