County Museum to feature program on local architecture

The Seneca County Museum will feature a program titled "Netcherized: the Architecture of George Netcher," about a prominent early 20th century architect from Tiffin this month. The program will be led by Tiffin native John Huss, an architectural historian and design consultant, who will use historical photos and blueprints to detail Netcher's life and work. It will take place Thursday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Fort Ball Room at the museum, 28 Clay St., Tiffin. In addition to exploring Netcher's extensive local work, Huss will also discuss Netcher's clients and the architect's sometimes problematic relations with them. Throughout his career in Tiffin, Netcher designed a number of iconic community buildings, including the B.P.O.E. Lodge, K of C Lodge, original Mercy Hospital, Cunningham House — Tiffin City Schools Administration building, Frost-Kalnow House, Kalbfleisch-Schneppat House, Bagby-Watson-Eberly House, Gottlieb-Supance House, Gibson-Kildow House, Loomis-Laird-Troxel House and more. Netcher designed the original Mercy Hospital building 1913, creating a four-story fireproof brick building that cost about $75,000. In addition, he designed the first restoration of the barn at Winterberry Farm — the barn was originally constructed in the 1830s. Some of Netcher's projects are still being renovated, like the Tiffin Elks Lodge #94, which in 2015 received a façade enhancement grant from the Architectural Board of Review. Netcher designed the lodge in 1914, on the cusp of World War I.