Brad and Susan Cochennet will have a change of address soon, but as far as their ties to the local community that will be the only change coming.
After months of searching for a new owner of the historic Gufler Mansion, Brad Cochennet announced Sunday there would be no new owner.
Cochennet tells KVOE News they will still be moving to Texas as announced earlier this year, however, they are currently searching for an innkeeper who will be responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the mansion.
Even with the hiring of an innkeeper and their upcoming move to Texas, Cochennet says he and his wife still plan to be involved with the mansion with him planning to make several return trips to Emporia for major events over the calendar year. Cochennet encourages anyone interested in the innkeeper position to contact him by calling 620-983-6621.
Cochennet’s announcement came at a fitting time, right in the middle of his presentation on historical architecture as part of the Sunday’s at the Site series at Red Rocks State Historic Site. Cochennet’s presentation focused specifically on the work of architects Charles Squires and Henry Brinkman who as it so happens designed the Gufler Mansion as well as Emporia’s Sacred Heart Church.
Meanwhile, Squires was best known for designing the HC Cross House, Emporia Presbyterian Church and the former C of E campus Carnegie Anderson Memorial Library between 1878 and his death in 1934. Cochennet says he was very excited to present this information to those in attendance for two reasons, one it has been a major “hobby” for him over the years and two “they’re disappearing.”
For more information on upcoming presentations at Red Rocks, find Red Rocks State Historic Site on Facebook.
