Record Group 6: Office of the Comptroller/Business and Finance O.C. Skinner Series
Inclusive Dates: 1909-1950
Size: 2 cubic feet
Bulk Dates: 1926-1946
Provenance: O.C. Skinner, Office of Industrial Manager, Dean of Labor
Restrictions: none
Biographical Information: Olin Conway (O.C.) Skinner was born near Demopolis, Alabama in 1888 and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Auburn University. He taught briefly in Eufala, Alabama before moving to Augusta where he was the Associate Principal and Head of Mechanical Instruction at the Academy of Richmond County in Augusta, Georgia from approximately 1910 - 1924. He came to Berry in 1924 where he served as the Industrial Manager and Dean of Labor until 1948. Mr. Skinner's responsibilities included overseeing the buildings, grounds and labor. One of his first responsibilities upon arriving at the school was coordinating the construction of the Ford Buildings. When Mr. Skinner arrived at Berry in 1924, Clara Hall (the oldest building in the complex) was under construction. During his tenure at Berry, Mr. Skinner oversaw the construction of many buildings on campus such as the Science-Agriculture Building (Cook Building ), the College Shops and Store (Laughlin and Moon Buildings), Memorial Library, and the renovation of the Mount Berry Chapel. Mr. Skinner left Berry in 1948 and moved to Highlands, North Carolina. In 1949, he became president of Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School where he remained until 1956. Mr. Skinner died at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta on May 9, 1979 at the age of 91.
Description: This collection contains general correspondence pertaining to the Office of the Industrial Manager from 1923-1950. The 1926-1929 correspondence deals exclusively with the construction of the Ford Buildings. Subjects in later years vary and include forestry, construction and maintenance of buildings -- particularly quotations and bids. Other information includes 1934 labor rolls for various work projects on campus, reports and two undated syllabi for woodworking and mechanical drawing courses. Several blueprints were removed from this collection and are housed with the Berry College Archives Map and Blueprint Collection.
Additional information about Mr. O.C. Skinner can be found in Collection 9 – Berry Faculty and Staff and the Berry College Archives Vertical File, subject heading Berry Faculty and Staff – O.C. Skinner.
Arrangement : Original order was not entirely maintained by the processor. Materials in this collection are arranged chronologically. Reports and other additional information are located in Box 6 Folders 15-20.
Subject Headings: Berry Schools. Faculty and Staff; Berry Schools. Ford Buildings; Berry Schools. Forestry; Berry Schools. Office of Industrial Management; Coolidge and Carlson Architects; Cooper and Cooper Architects; Skinner, O.C.
Miscellaneous:
Preferred Citation:
Permission to publish must be obtained from the Executive Assistant to the President. Please cite: Item identification, Record Group 6 Office of the Comptroller/Business and Finance - O.C. Skinner Series, Berry College Archives, Memorial Library, Berry College.