History
In 1928, Topeka newspaper publisher, Frank P. MacLennan, took a visionary
step and began construction of a country French chateau on a wooded
hilltop west of Topeka. He completed his country retreat, Cedar Crest,
named for the many cedar trees on the property and moved his collection
of books into the home, but, sadly, died in 1933.
His widow, Madge Overstreet MacLennan, watched the state capital grow west toward her beloved retreat overlooking the Kansas River. Upon her death in 1955, she acted upon her husband's request and bequeathed Cedar Crest to the State of Kansas, with the condition it be utilized as a home for the Governor of Kansas. The gift to the state also included MacLennan's collection of books and 244 acres of surrounding land with the provision that all but 20 acres adjacent the home be designated as a park.
Since 1962, Cedar Crest has been the home of Kansas Governors' and their families. Governor John Anderson and his family were the first to reside in this lovely country home, arriving with Shetland ponies which grazed on park pasture when not being ridden by the Governor's children. First Lady Olivia Bennett recalls taking long hikes on the trails on the property while planning the dinner she later cooked and personally served to visiting President Gerald Ford. Governor Mike Hayden, who was instrumental in establishing the surrounding land as MacLennan Park, shared his love of fishing with Kansas children by hosting fishing clinics in the ponds.
The (FoCCA) was established in 1981 by First Lady Karen Carlin to preserve, restore and enhance the executive residence. Among FoCCA's early efforts was the redecoration of the first floor of the home and the acquisition of art, furniture, silver, china and crystal for the home. Cedar Crest was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
By the mid-90's, the historic home was showing its age. Realizing the value and significance of Cedar Crest, the Legislature appropriated $2.2 million for replacement of heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical systems, along with removal of hazardous materials from the home. An additional $2 million was needed to address the restoration of important elements of the home, refurbish worn and dated interior and modernize bathrooms and the kitchens.