Miamisburg Historical Society honored for saving Kercher Cabin

Built in 1806, log house to serve education purpose

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By William G. Schmidt, Contributing Writer 11:35 AM Thursday, September 17, 2009

MIAMISBURG — Several years ago, Miamisburg Historical Society member Les Wead, said, “There’s something special about that little house that sits down at 14 Ferry St.”

When Miamisburg was demolishing homes to make way for their riverfront park, the Historical Society asked then-city manager John Weithofer to spare the house while they researched its history.

After months of digging, Wead’s hunch proved correct.

Beneath the siding of the home was the original log cabin built by one of Miamisburg’s founders, Jacob Kercher.

In 1818, Kercher, Emanuel Gebhart, Dr. John Treon and Dr. Peter Treon platted Miamisburg.

Since 2006, a task force of facilitators Phil Johnson and Les Wead; fundraising chairman John O’Gorman; fundraising committee Mayor Dick Church, Lee Hieronymus and Barb Olekas; facilities committee Laura Leyes Bornhorst, Doug Vost and Rick Young; usage committee and secretary Bobbye Sweny, Nita Petticrew, Mike Hagan and Rolla Broerman; and treasurer Phyllis Abney met to save the building.

“For our society to save a significantly historical building just for the sake of saving it, is not enough,” Sweny said.

“It needs to have a useful purpose.”

The Kercher Cabin will serve an educational focus, said Sweny.

The first floor will be a one-room school house and the second floor will house a children’s museum. In 1806, Kercher and his wife built the small log cabin, had 10 children, including Elizabeth, thought to be the first white child born in Miamisburg.

Kercher donated land for the town square where the Market Square Building now sits.

Mayor Dick Church honored the Historical Society for saving the Kercher Cabin.

“In Miamisburg, we don’t just talk about getting things done. We get things done,” he said.

Over $155,000 has been raised for the project.

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