From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, rev. ed. by David H. Fox (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1997). -

Succeeded Western New England Organ Service; established by David W. Cogswell and Richard W. Toelken in North Wilbraham, Massachusetts, 1954; Cogswell became sole owner, 1962; relocated to West Springfield, Massachusetts, 1968; operated Pipecraft, Miracle Organ Co., and Cardinal Organ Co. as subsidiaries; liquidated upon Cogswell's death, 1989.

Staff: Ivan Beckwith; Edgar A. Boadway; David W. Cogswell; Michael Earp; James E. Hammack; Richard Hedgebeth; David C. Melrose; Sean O'Donnell; Thad H. H. Outerbridge; Jan R. Rowland; [Richard Shuler;*] Jerry E. True; Pieter Visser; David K. Wigton.

* Richard Shuler was not listed in Fox's Guide, the editor was informed of his employment at Berkshire in an email. —Ed.

Sources:

• Organ Handbook (OHS 1964).
• Organ Handbook (OHS 1968).
• Elizabeth Towne Schmitt.
• The American Organist, January 1983, 36.
• [Email from Richard Shuler.]

 

From the OHS PC Database Builders Listing editor, March 20, 2016 -

Richard Taylor (formerly of Austin) was the factory foreman at the Berkshire Organ Company in West Springfield, Mass., and Michael Fazio serviced organs for Berkshire. The Berkshire company closed, and Taylor formed his own firm, American Classic Organs, with Fazio as his partner. Taylor and Fazio purchased Austin Organs in 2006.

Source:

• Jane Gordon, "A Reason to Rejoice in Hartford: An Organ Business Is Saved" New York Times, February 19, 2006, (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/19ctaustin.html?pagewanted=print&_r=0) accessed August 30, 2015.