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The Bidwell Mansion Association (BMA) is dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and interpretation of Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, the 1868 home of John Bidwell, founder of the city of Chico, California.
please note:
As Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, all BMA in-person events have been cancelled/postponed.
BMA will resume with live events when it’s determined safe to do so, and the Mansion is open again. In the meantime, we do have virtual events planned, so be sure to check back often for more information.
We look forward to when we can all gather together and enjoy the Mansion and park grounds. Until then, please check out the BMA Facebook page for more fun and updates, and visit the Bidwell Mansion SHP Facebook page for exciting posts about the Mansion.
As always, thank you for your support! Take care and we'll see you soon!
BMA will resume with live events when it’s determined safe to do so, and the Mansion is open again. In the meantime, we do have virtual events planned, so be sure to check back often for more information.
We look forward to when we can all gather together and enjoy the Mansion and park grounds. Until then, please check out the BMA Facebook page for more fun and updates, and visit the Bidwell Mansion SHP Facebook page for exciting posts about the Mansion.
As always, thank you for your support! Take care and we'll see you soon!
upcoming virtual events
BMA Annual meeting
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Annual Meeting
Sunday, January 31 | 6 p.m. Zoom Guest Speaker: Andy Mark | author of Stories of the Humboldt Wagon Road Please join us for the annual meeting of the Bidwell Mansion Association. All BMA members and guests are welcome to attend. After a brief business meeting, we will be privileged to hear author Andy Mark speak about John Bidwell’s investment in the development of the Humboldt Wagon Road and his little-known involvement in a significant mining venture in northwestern Nevada. |
Andy Mark worked as a brakeman and conductor on the Western Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads for twenty-one years before going back to college to earn degrees in mathematics and psychology from CSU, Chico. After working sixteen years as a statistical consultant and data analyst, Andy retired in 2013.
Before retirement, Andy began directing his attention toward local history. His articles include “1859 Butte Creek White Settler-Indians Conflicts” (Diggin’s, Spring 2010) and “How Western Pacific’s Scenic Feather River Route Almost Wasn’t” (California Territorial Quarterly, Winter 2013). He is the author of The West Branch Mill of the Sierra Lumber Company, published by The History Press in 2012.
Andy enjoys hiking and has explored the backcountry of Butte, Plumas, and Tehama Counties on foot and by mountain bike, often coming across evidence left by humans from earlier times. Andy feels his interest in local history helped him find a way to blend an understanding and appreciation for the past with his love of nature. Andy and his wife, Jill, are longtime rock hounds and have searched many of the western states for stony treasures. This inspired them to learn the history of the deserts of northwestern Nevada, the destination of the Humboldt Wagon Road.
Thank you for your membership support — we look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting!
Before retirement, Andy began directing his attention toward local history. His articles include “1859 Butte Creek White Settler-Indians Conflicts” (Diggin’s, Spring 2010) and “How Western Pacific’s Scenic Feather River Route Almost Wasn’t” (California Territorial Quarterly, Winter 2013). He is the author of The West Branch Mill of the Sierra Lumber Company, published by The History Press in 2012.
Andy enjoys hiking and has explored the backcountry of Butte, Plumas, and Tehama Counties on foot and by mountain bike, often coming across evidence left by humans from earlier times. Andy feels his interest in local history helped him find a way to blend an understanding and appreciation for the past with his love of nature. Andy and his wife, Jill, are longtime rock hounds and have searched many of the western states for stony treasures. This inspired them to learn the history of the deserts of northwestern Nevada, the destination of the Humboldt Wagon Road.
Thank you for your membership support — we look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting!
Celebrate the holidays with the bidwells
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Christmas with the Bidwells
Friday, December 18 | 6 p.m. BMA YouTube Channel – Join us HERE Grab a plate of Christmas cookies and a cup of eggnog or sparkling cider and sit down at your computer to enjoy “Christmas with the Bidwells” this year. Travel back in time to talk to four residents of Bidwell Mansion as they prepare for the holiday season. |
General John Bidwell will give you a tour of his office and tell you about the time he met General Sherman. Annie Bidwell is going shopping in downtown Chico—find out which stores she prefers for buying Christmas gifts. Florence the cook is in the kitchen, preparing a delicious dinner, and Peter the coachman is out at the carriage house getting ready to give you a ride around Rancho Chico. All of them will welcome you to Bidwell Mansion and fill you with the holiday spirit.
Bidwell Mansion comes alive in these vignettes, accompanied by holiday music from the parlor. The broadcast will be available December 18th on the Bidwell Mansion Association’s YouTube channel. We hope you will tune in and enjoy a new version of “Christmas with the Bidwells.”
Bidwell Mansion comes alive in these vignettes, accompanied by holiday music from the parlor. The broadcast will be available December 18th on the Bidwell Mansion Association’s YouTube channel. We hope you will tune in and enjoy a new version of “Christmas with the Bidwells.”
BMA HAPPENINGS
BMA NEWSLETTER – WE'VE GOT ALL THE DETAILS
Wondering what's going on at the Bidwell Mansion? Check out our current newsletter and get up-to-date will all the happenings, BMA activities, and upcoming events. You don't want to miss out!
MRS. BIDWELL INVITES YOU TO BECOME A BMA MEMBER
Your memerbership support of the BMA is greatly appreciated. Becuase of your membership we are able to support the educational programs at Bidwell Mansion SHP, and sponsor Friday tours of the Mansion during the summer. We welcome new members and are looking forward to your participation and hope you continue as members into the future. Click here to join or renew your membership
We would also like to thank our members who annually renew and make donation to the Bidwell Mansion. Your generosity is truly exceptional—THANK YOU!
We would also like to thank our members who annually renew and make donation to the Bidwell Mansion. Your generosity is truly exceptional—THANK YOU!
bidwell mansion historic state park hours
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Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
When it reopens, we hope you will check out the Visitor's Center. Watch and listen as John Bidwell journeys across America, writes love letters to Annie, and shows you around Rancho Chico. We hope to resume Mansion tours Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please stay tuned for updates. Mansion tours start on the hour, beginning in the Visitor Center. The last tour begins at 4 p.m. Tour prices are $6 for adult, $3 for children 5-17, and free for children 4 or younger. Cash, check and credit cards are accepted for the tours. More Info at bidwellmansionpark.com |
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Take a Video tour of bidwell mansion
Join Bidwell Mansion SHP's own with Noel Lopez 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.
Click HERE to watch the episode.
STAY CONNECTED
Check us out on Facebook where you can get updated information on Association activities and events. Please click on this link to "Like" us! In addition, click here to visit Nancy Leek's Bidwell Blog! Another way to connect is by becoming a member. Please click on the button below to begin enjoying the benefits of being a member of the Bidwell Mansion Association!
MAKE A GIFT
Consider making a gift to continue education, preservation, and interpretation at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
John and Annie Bidwell
