OHS convention: 1966
2005-06-16 - Identified through information in <i>Descriptive Catalogue of Superior Church Organs Manufactured by Geo. H. Ryder & Co.</i>, published in Boston, January, 1896. Dates are not included in the publication; the one given here is conjectural. -Database Manager
2015-06-15 - Updated through online information from Charles Eberline. -- Information on the size of the organ from The Eleventh Annual National Convention of the Organ Historical Society, Incorporated: Cape Cod and Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, June 21–23, 1966 (York, PA: Organ Historical Society, [1966]), page [23] (the pages are not numbered). Robert J. Reich played a convention recital on the organ on 23 June 1966. <br> Information from http://www.harwichunitedmethodistchurch.com/829175 (accessed 13 June 2015): "The organ, with its statuesque pipes and intricate design, was purchased in November 1876 from George H. Ryder of Boston, the builder, for $800. ($812.72 with interest.) The purchase/sales/loan was written and signed by Jonathan A. Buck, stating the first payment was for $300, and the balance of $500 due within four months. Mr. Buck was paid in full in January of 1884. <br> This pipe organ was placed in the Church in December 1876, and first played by Jonathan A. Buck of East Harwich and Solomon E. Hallet of Chatham. The first tune played on the organ by Jonathan A. Buck was the Doxology (Old 100th). <br> In 1983, from the Ernest F. White Music Fund, the organ was completely restored and the pitch lowered to its current standard. It is our understanding that this organ was not new when we purchased it. It is our hope to find out where this organ came from. Someone thought that it came from a church in Sandwich, however this is only speculation. If anyone knows or has more information on how we can research this, please select the contact page on this website." There are two photographs of the organ at the website. -Database Manager
Stoplist and comments from The Eleventh Annual National Convention of the Organ Historical Society, Incorporated: Cape Cod and N Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
East Harwich, Massachusetts Harwich United Methodist Church Unknown builder, c. 1845; rebuilt by George H. Ryder, Boston, Massachusetts, Opus 31, 1875. [According to the church's website, the organ was purchased in November 1876.] MANUAL (enclosed) 8′ Open Diapason 54 8′ Dolce (common bass) 42 8′ Stop’d Diapason 54 4′ Octave 54 4′ Flute 54 2 2/3′ Twelfth 54 2′ Fifteenth 54 II Mixture 108 PEDAL 16′ Sub Bass 27 Tremulant Pedal Coupler Blower’s Signal hitch-down swell pedal Manual compass: CC–f3, 54 notes Pedal compass: CCC–CC, 25 notes; pipes for lowest octave only The church was erected in 1811 and remodeled in 1848. It once had side and rear galleries and a high pulpit, but the 1902 renovation greatly reduced the size and charm of the auditorium. The organ was purchased for $800 and replaced a melodeon. Evidently the work of an early Boston builder, it originally had a G-compass, and Ryder retained only the chest and pipework, which was not revoiced. The ash and walnut case contains three flats of diapered Open Diapason basses, and all but the 16′ pipes at the sides and the lowest 12 Open Diapason pipes are enclosed behind horizontal shades. The Dolce borrows the lowest 12 notes from the Stop’d Diapason; both flutes are chimney flutes with stopped wood basses. The Mixture is 19-22 at CC, 12-19 at C1 and 8-12 at C3. [Received from Charles Eberline 2015-06-15.]
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