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General announcementFollowing the devastating fire at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, both the park and the Visitor Center remain closed. Currently, we do not have a reopening date for the Visitor Center or the General's Store.
During this closure, BMA is excited to be collaborating with local historical organizations, such as the Stansbury House, Chico History Museum, and Chico Heritage Association, to host events and maintain community engagement. |
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Structural Report Timeline, Leadership Change & History TalkWe’ve been informed by State Parks that a report from the engineer hired to assess the structural integrity of the Bidwell Mansion ruins is expected to be released in December. The findings from this report will determine whether the building is safe to enter and what steps can be taken next at the site.
If you’ve passed by Bidwell Mansion lately and wondered about the blue pop-up tent and ice chest out back, they’re not for a picnic. This is an effort to keep batteries cool that were brought in to maintain the park’s irrigation system, which is necessary due to the destruction caused by the fire. There has also been a change in leadership at State Parks for the Northern Buttes District, where Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is located. Northern Buttes District Superintendent Matt Teague retired at the end of October and has been replaced by Matthew Allen, who comes from the Bay Area District. The BMA Board has not had the opportunity to meet with Allen, but we look forward to the chance to do so at a future board meeting. The Chico History Museum is hosting a special lecture featuring Dr. Michele Shover on “Saint or Sinner: John Bidwell and the Mechoopda” at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 22. This talk will take place at The Westport (603 Broadway St., Chico), rather than at the museum. Shover, a retired Chico State political science professor and author of several books on Chico history, will discuss the dichotomy between Bidwell’s heroic reputation and an alternative view of him as a “colonizer” who abused indigenous and Chinese people in Chico. She will present her conclusions, based on thirty years of research, using documents from the era. If you are interested in attending this lecture, tickets can be purchased through the Chico History Museum’s website. |
Through Bidwell Mansion’s arched windows, fire damage reveals the building’s original brickwork and craftsmanship.
A blue pop-up tent sits behind Bidwell Mansion, shading equipment used to keep batteries cool for the park’s irrigation system after the fire.
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Thank you to everyone who has visited the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion website. Whether you’ve signed up for updates, shared a memory, or helped spread the word to family and friends, your involvement helps keep the conversation going.
Haven’t visited the website yet? We encourage you to explore and learn more about the process, sign up for updates, and share your memories. We’ll continue to share details as community events and engagement opportunities are announced throughout the Reimagine process. Your voice matters, and together, we can help shape the next chapter of this special place. |
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California State Parks has officially launched its Reimagine Bidwell Mansion Park State Historic Park planning effort. Over the next 15 months, they will be working with us and the community to create a Vision Plan that honors the mansion’s history while also exploring possibilities for its future.
You can learn more about this outreach effort at reimaginebidwellmansion.org, where you can also share your memories through the Memory Sharing Tool and stay up to date on engagement opportunities by joining their mailing list. |
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(Matt Bates/University Photographer/Chico State)
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On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, our community suffered an unimaginable loss with the devastating fire at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park. Despite the swift and diligent response of fire crews, the mansion could not be saved.
To stay updated on the fire and the ongoing recovery efforts, please visit our Bidwell Fire information page. There, you’ll find the latest news, details about the fire’s impact, and updates on the path forward. To learn more about the restoration project the mansion was undergoing before the fire, please visit our Restoration Project page. |
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Guided tours of Bidwell Mansion are currently CANCELED due to the temporary closure of the park.
At this time, it is uncertain when the park Visitor Center and the General's Store will open again More Info at the State Park website. Take a Video tour of bidwell mansion
While the park is closed, please join Noel Lopez from Bidwell Mansion SHP, as he gives a tour of the Mansion and talks about the history of the Bidwells in California on
C-SPAN3–American History TV. Click HERE to watch the episode. |
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History not only educates, but also inspires and defines who we are. It reminds us of where we come from and how far we’ve come. The Bidwell Mansion Association is proud to encourage and foster a love of history through support of the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park.
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Consider making a monetary gift to continue education, preservation, and interpretation at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park.
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