NOVEMBER 2025 EDITION
articles
- Message from the President
- Special December Events Commemorating the First Anniversary of the Fire
- Visitor Center to Open For a Short Time in December
- Reimaging Bidwell Mansion Planning Effort
- Annie Goes Christmas Shopping
- Annie's Weed
- Dressing for the California Winter: Winterwear in the Era of John and Annie Bidwell
- Be Part of Bidwell Mansion’s Ongoing Story
- Join the BMA Board and Make a Difference
message from the president
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Dear BMA Members and Friends,
I hope you enjoyed a peaceful Thanksgiving with those close to you. This season naturally brings reflection and gratitude, and for all of us connected to Bidwell Mansion, it carries an even deeper meaning as we approach the first anniversary of the fire. It’s hard to believe a year has passed since the event that changed so much. The loss of the mansion—the heart of the park and a beloved landmark in our community—continues to be felt. And yet, throughout this past year, we’ve also witnessed something remarkable: a community that continues to care, to show up, and to stay connected to the story the Bidwells began more than a century ago. |
Your membership and support have made it possible for the BMA to keep moving forward—to share updates, offer opportunities to engage, and maintain a presence during a time when the future of the site is still unfolding. We remain committed to working alongside State Parks, advocating for the history and significance of the mansion, and ensuring that its story continues to be told.
As we move into the new year, we will continue creating ways to gather, remember, and reconnect—through programs, shared stories, and opportunities to participate in the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion planning effort. Even with the park closed, the spirit of this place remains very much alive, carried by all who value its history and its meaning to Chico.
Thank you for your continued support during this important and challenging chapter. Your involvement—whether through membership, attendance, or simply staying engaged—truly strengthens the work ahead. Together, we can honor what was lost, preserve what remains, and help shape what comes next for this special place.
With gratitude,
Adrienne Glatz, President
Bidwell Mansion Association
As we move into the new year, we will continue creating ways to gather, remember, and reconnect—through programs, shared stories, and opportunities to participate in the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion planning effort. Even with the park closed, the spirit of this place remains very much alive, carried by all who value its history and its meaning to Chico.
Thank you for your continued support during this important and challenging chapter. Your involvement—whether through membership, attendance, or simply staying engaged—truly strengthens the work ahead. Together, we can honor what was lost, preserve what remains, and help shape what comes next for this special place.
With gratitude,
Adrienne Glatz, President
Bidwell Mansion Association
Special December events
As we approach the anniversary of the Bidwell Mansion fire, this December offers three meaningful days for our community to gather, remember, and honor the place that has meant so much to Chico. With the Visitor Center opening for this brief period, each day provides a quiet opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and connection as we acknowledge our shared loss and celebrate the legacy that continues to live on.
All three events are free and open to the community, and we welcome everyone to take part.
All three events are free and open to the community, and we welcome everyone to take part.
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Community Remembrance and Appreciation Reception for Mansion Fire First Responders and Investigators
Thursday, December 11 | 4–5 p.m. Visitor Center, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park We warmly invite you to join us for this special reception, which offers the community a meaningful opportunity to come together to remember Bidwell Mansion—an irreplaceable part of Chico’s history—and to reflect on the loss we have all felt over the past year. Attendees are welcome to share memories, stories, and personal reflections as we honor the Mansion’s place in our community and the many lives it has touched. It is also a moment to express our deepest gratitude to the first responders and investigators who acted swiftly and courageously the night of the fire and throughout the investigation. Their efforts remain an important part of the Mansion’s story, and this reception allows us to recognize their service while supporting one another as we look to the future. |
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DAR America 250 Patriots Marker
Friday, December 12 | 11 a.m. Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will host a meaningful event to place a marker at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, honoring Revolutionary War patriots as part of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Annie Bidwell was a member of the first DAR chapter in San Francisco, and both her great-grandfathers, Andrew Ellicott and Samuel Kennedy, fought in the Revolutionary War. |
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An Afternoon With the Bidwells
Saturday, December 13 | 1–3 p.m. Visitor Center, Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park Join us for a special afternoon featuring appearances by General John and Annie Bidwell and friends. Light refreshments will be served as we come together to thank our members and the community for their continued support. While this event offers a touch of seasonal cheer, it is also a moment to reflect, connect, honor, and look forward with optimism as we carry the Bidwell spirit into the future. |
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Visitor center to open for a short time in december
We are excited to announce that the Visitor Center at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park will be open for three special days!
The General’s Store will be open for holiday shopping, and the historical gallery will be available for visitors to explore the Bidwell story—but only during this special three-day opening.
This is a great opportunity to pick up unique gifts, enjoy the exhibits, and share the experience with friends and family. We encourage you to stop by, browse, and bring someone along who appreciates local history. This will be the only time the Visitor Center will be open until next spring.
- December 11: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- December 12 and 13: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The General’s Store will be open for holiday shopping, and the historical gallery will be available for visitors to explore the Bidwell story—but only during this special three-day opening.
This is a great opportunity to pick up unique gifts, enjoy the exhibits, and share the experience with friends and family. We encourage you to stop by, browse, and bring someone along who appreciates local history. This will be the only time the Visitor Center will be open until next spring.
Reimagining Bidwell Mansion
also California State Parks officially launched its Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park planning effort in early September. Over the next 15 months, they will work with the BMA and the broader community to create a Vision Plan that honors the mansion’s history while exploring thoughtful possibilities for its future.
Since the launch, the process has been moving forward through initial meetings with key stakeholder groups—including the BMA, the Mechoopda Tribe, and local historical and government partners. These early conversations are helping set the stage for broader community input.
Public engagement will begin this winter, starting with an online survey and the first community meetings. To stay informed, we encourage you to visit the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park website and sign up for email updates.
During the most recent stakeholder meeting, PlaceWorks—the firm leading the outreach effort—outlined how the Vision Plan will be developed. They also presented three conceptual approaches that have been used in similar situations nationwide. These are not proposals, simply examples meant to spark discussion as Chico begins shaping its own vision for the site.
The three potential preservation concepts include:
A blended approach drawn from more than one concept could also be explored.
The Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park website now serves as the central hub for community participation. There, you can learn about the planning process, sign up for updates, and share personal memories using the Memory Sharing Tool—an important way to ensure the mansion’s significance to the community is represented.
This winter marks the start of the broader Engagement Phase, when the public will be invited to participate in online and in-person meetings, workshops, pop-up events, and a survey to help shape the park’s future. Beginning next spring, the Vision Development Phase will refine concepts based on community feedback, with a preferred option expected to emerge by summer. The final Vision Plan is anticipated to be released by next fall.
We invite you to stay connected through the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park website and be part of the conversation ahead. Your voice truly matters as we work together to shape the next chapter of this special place.
Since the launch, the process has been moving forward through initial meetings with key stakeholder groups—including the BMA, the Mechoopda Tribe, and local historical and government partners. These early conversations are helping set the stage for broader community input.
Public engagement will begin this winter, starting with an online survey and the first community meetings. To stay informed, we encourage you to visit the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park website and sign up for email updates.
During the most recent stakeholder meeting, PlaceWorks—the firm leading the outreach effort—outlined how the Vision Plan will be developed. They also presented three conceptual approaches that have been used in similar situations nationwide. These are not proposals, simply examples meant to spark discussion as Chico begins shaping its own vision for the site.
The three potential preservation concepts include:
- Reconstruction: Rebuilding the mansion
- Examples: Fort Ross, La Purísima Mission, Sutter’s Fort
- Rehabilitation Adaptive Re-Use: Stabilizing and preserving the site
- Example: Jack London’s Wolf House
- Commemoration: Reimagining the park in a way that continues to honor the site and conveys its importance to Chico
- Example: The 9/11 Memorial
A blended approach drawn from more than one concept could also be explored.
The Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park website now serves as the central hub for community participation. There, you can learn about the planning process, sign up for updates, and share personal memories using the Memory Sharing Tool—an important way to ensure the mansion’s significance to the community is represented.
This winter marks the start of the broader Engagement Phase, when the public will be invited to participate in online and in-person meetings, workshops, pop-up events, and a survey to help shape the park’s future. Beginning next spring, the Vision Development Phase will refine concepts based on community feedback, with a preferred option expected to emerge by summer. The final Vision Plan is anticipated to be released by next fall.
We invite you to stay connected through the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park website and be part of the conversation ahead. Your voice truly matters as we work together to shape the next chapter of this special place.
Annie Goes Christmas Shopping in 1904
by Nancy Leek
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At the end of her diary for the year 1904, Annie Bidwell listed the Christmas gifts she gave that year. She lists about 30 individuals or couples. Here is a sampling:
She gave her sister, Sallie, a Spanish headscarf and an asparagus fork. Sallie’s husband, Tom, was given a music cabinet, and their son, Willie, was given $4 for an “electric water motor.” The servants were given $3 each and $3 worth of candy, but some other employees were given more; $5 for Florence Proud (cook), a scarf pin for Fred Petersen (head gardener), and a sapphire ring for his daughter. Four favorite young ladies, including Helen Sommer (age 16), were each given an embroidered collar and tie. Maggie Lafonso received a “handsome jabot of blue silk and white lace.” Annie sent John Bidwell’s sister, Laurinda Jay, a “white silk shawl” and her husband, Wesley, a “muffler, black & red.” Several friends, such as cousin Dr. Ella Gatchell and attorney Franklin Lusk, were given olive oil, no doubt Bidwell’s Olive Oil produced on Rancho Chico. The most generous gift listed was to “Mrs. Hobart,” who was given “a corner lot in our new Sub. Div on Esplanade.” Emroy Bidwell Hobart was the daughter of John Bidwell’s half-brother Daniel. In 1904, she was a widow and had lost her house in a fire, so giving her a lot of land to build on was a timely gift. Find an extended version of this article on Nancy's blog, Goldfields. |
Bidwell olive oil label. Image from the California State University, Chico, Meriam Library Special Collections.
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Annie's weed
by steve schoonover
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Among Annie Bidwell’s somewhat lesser claims to fame is that she has a weed named after her.
According to an article in the Spring 2025 newsletter of the Friends of the Ahart Herbarium at Chico State, a plant known as Bidwell’s knotweed was named for Annie after she discovered the plant. The article by herbarium volunteer Cynthia Weiner says Annie was an amateur botanist, with 79 plants she collected housed at herbariums around the country. The original Bidwell’s knotweed--Polygonum bidwelliae—is at Harvard University and was apparently collected in May 1878 in Chico. Bidwell’s knotweed is a rare plant, found only in Butte, Tehama, and Shasta counties. |
Weiner’s entire article can be found in the Spring 2025 newsletter.
The Ahart Herbarium in Holt Hall on the Chico State campus holds 115,300 Northern California plants for researchers to study. More information on the herbarium is available on their website.
The Ahart Herbarium in Holt Hall on the Chico State campus holds 115,300 Northern California plants for researchers to study. More information on the herbarium is available on their website.
Dressing for the California Winter:
Winterwear in the Era of John and Annie Bidwell
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Victorian winter fashion offered a remarkable variety of styles, shaped by shifting silhouettes and new materials that emerged over the course of the 19th century and into the 20th. These trends reached California through fashion magazines, dry goods stores, traveling merchants, and the expanding rail and steamer networks that connected the East Coast to the West. For residents of Northern California, including communities such as Chico, winter dress reflected both the broader patterns of American Victorian fashion and the practical needs of a region marked by rain, tule fog, and chilly mornings. While clothing varied from person to person, there were known types of winter garments that men, women, and children in Chico could have worn in the colder months.
Foundations and Layers Winter warmth started with undergarments. Women commonly wore over their chemises and corsets flannel or cotton drawers, and one or more petticoats—sometimes quilted or made in plain wool or flannel. Men typically wore wool or flannel shirts, knit undershirts, woolen drawers, woolen union suits, and vests, all of which provided essential insulation. Wool or knitted stockings added extra warmth for all. |
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Women’s Winterwear
From the time Annie Bidwell came to Chico in 1868 until her death in 1918, women in the Chico area had access to many of the same outerwear styles featured in national fashion plates and big-city newspaper advertisements. Long wool cloaks, mantles, paletots, and sacks were widely circulated styles in the late 1860s and could be purchased in larger cities or made locally from fabrics sold in Chico’s dry goods stores. Magazines like Godey’s Lady’s Book, Peterson’s Magazine, and other illustrated publications provided images of emerging styles and guided home sewers and professional seamstresses. As bustle fashions developed in the 1870s and 1880s, more structured coats and wraps appeared, including dolmans, visites, fitted cloaks, and tailored coats, which were made either from sewing patterns using locally sourced materials or purchased from a seamstress. Wool cloaks and capes remained especially practical for winter travel, foggy mornings, and daily tasks in both town and rural surroundings. |
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By the 1890s, winter outerwear had taken on a more modern look. Tailor-made jackets became everyday staples, while long princess-line coats and roomy capes were designed to accommodate the decade’s large sleeves. Knitted sweaters—popularized by the growing interest in bicycling and other outdoor activities—also became regular winter garments. The expanding use of mail-order catalogs such as Montgomery Ward, R. H. Macy & Co., and Sears, Roebuck & Co., further increased access to ready-made clothing, offering even more options for cold-weather wear.
The turn of the century brought with it another change in silhouette. Winterwear for women included long, tailored coats, high-collared wool garments, and automobile coats designed for open-car travel. Sleeves narrowed significantly compared to the early 1890s, and coats made in melton, broadcloth, and heavy serge often featured broad lapels or fur trim.
By the time Annie died in 1918, winter coats had adopted yet another change to complement the ever-changing silhouette of women's clothing. Influenced in part by World War I, many garments featured military-inspired details, wide lapels, and long, sturdy wool construction. Overall, winterwear was shifting toward simpler, more practical, and more comfortable styles.
The turn of the century brought with it another change in silhouette. Winterwear for women included long, tailored coats, high-collared wool garments, and automobile coats designed for open-car travel. Sleeves narrowed significantly compared to the early 1890s, and coats made in melton, broadcloth, and heavy serge often featured broad lapels or fur trim.
By the time Annie died in 1918, winter coats had adopted yet another change to complement the ever-changing silhouette of women's clothing. Influenced in part by World War I, many garments featured military-inspired details, wide lapels, and long, sturdy wool construction. Overall, winterwear was shifting toward simpler, more practical, and more comfortable styles.
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Men’s Winterwear
Men in Northern California had access to a wide range of practical and fashionable winter garments. Throughout the nineteenth century, wool greatcoats, lined overcoats, and heavier sack coats were standard options. Dry goods stores supplied wool fabrics for custom garments, and tailors provided fitted coats for men needing more formal attire. For outdoor labor, heavy wool coats, blanket-lined jackets, and warm flannel layers were well-suited to the valley’s damp winter climate. Waterproof garments also played a role. Newspaper advertisements in San Francisco and Sacramento show that oilcloth and rubberized coats were available in California by the 1850s–60s, decades before “mackintosh” became the widespread term. By the 1870s and 1880s, improved waterproof coats and ulsters could be purchased. |
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Mackinaw-style wool coats circulated in Northern California as well—particularly in areas tied to timber and mountain labor—though local versions tended to be heavy solid wools rather than the plaid garments associated with the Midwest. By the 1890s, mass-produced menswear and mail-order catalogs expanded options to include sweaters, improved waterproof coats, and tailored overcoats.
At the time of John Bidwell’s death in 1900, men’s winterwear continued to emphasize practicality. Overcoats, Chesterfields, ulsters, and belted greatcoats remained staples, and the 1910s introduced more military-influenced styles—belted fronts, large lapels, and sturdy wool fabrics. Sweaters and reliable waterproof coats were widely available through merchants and catalogs, and Mackinaw-style work coats continued to serve outdoor labor needs.
At the time of John Bidwell’s death in 1900, men’s winterwear continued to emphasize practicality. Overcoats, Chesterfields, ulsters, and belted greatcoats remained staples, and the 1910s introduced more military-influenced styles—belted fronts, large lapels, and sturdy wool fabrics. Sweaters and reliable waterproof coats were widely available through merchants and catalogs, and Mackinaw-style work coats continued to serve outdoor labor needs.
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Winter Accessories
Winter accessories played a valuable role for women, men, and children in Northern California. Women used muffs, stoles, and boas throughout the period—modest in the 1860s–70s, more elaborate in the 1880s–90s, and generally simpler again from 1900 to 1918. Knitted accessories also became more prevalent during this decade, supported by the widespread knitting effort for World War I soldiers and an overall trend toward more practical, comfortable winterwear. Men relied on practical accessories for warmth: wool or knit mufflers, scarves, gloves, heavy socks, and knitted caps or lined hats. In colder conditions, fur collars and fur-lined gloves offered additional insulation, while waterproof gauntlets and sturdy work gloves served agricultural and outdoor labor needs. |
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Fur appeared regularly in California and national advertisements across these decades, used for muffs, collars, cuffs, stoles, and linings. Local species—such as fox, raccoon, skunk, muskrat, and coyote—made some fur accessories attainable, while finer furs like seal, beaver, or imported mink were sold mainly in larger cities. Many women favored wool for everyday warmth and added fur according to preference or means.
A Regionally Connected Wardrobe
From Annie’s arrival in Chico in 1868 through John’s passing in 1900 and her own death in 1918, Chico witnessed dramatic shifts in winter fashion—changes reflected in both local wardrobes and the broader American landscape. Yet throughout these decades, winterwear in the northern Sacramento Valley was never isolated from national trends. Residents engaged with fashion through travel, magazines, merchants, and sewing rooms, adapting garments to suit the rain, fog, and rhythms of regional life. The resulting clothing—spanning Victorian silhouettes to early modern styles—reveals an ongoing dialogue between climate, access, and personal expression that shaped winter dress in Northern California.
A Regionally Connected Wardrobe
From Annie’s arrival in Chico in 1868 through John’s passing in 1900 and her own death in 1918, Chico witnessed dramatic shifts in winter fashion—changes reflected in both local wardrobes and the broader American landscape. Yet throughout these decades, winterwear in the northern Sacramento Valley was never isolated from national trends. Residents engaged with fashion through travel, magazines, merchants, and sewing rooms, adapting garments to suit the rain, fog, and rhythms of regional life. The resulting clothing—spanning Victorian silhouettes to early modern styles—reveals an ongoing dialogue between climate, access, and personal expression that shaped winter dress in Northern California.
Be Part of Bidwell Mansion’s Ongoing Story
Your Membership Matters More Than Ever
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As we approach the first anniversary of the fire, we’re reminded of just how deeply Bidwell Mansion has shaped our community. Even with the park still closed, its story continues to evolve, and its impact remains unmistakably alive. The history, legacy, and connections the Bidwells built still resonate today—and your membership is essential in helping us carry that story forward into the next chapter.
By becoming a BMA member or renewing your membership, you help:
Membership also includes benefits like a 10% discount in the General’s Store (when the Visitor Center reopens) and invitations to special BMA events. |
Even in this time of change, your membership strengthens our ability to honor the past and keep the story alive for future generations.
Please consider becoming a member or renewing your membership.
Please consider becoming a member or renewing your membership.
Join the BMA Board and Make a Difference
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As we near one year without the mansion, the role of the Bidwell Mansion Association has never been more critical. Even with the mansion closed, our work continues—sharing its history, supporting the community, and helping keep the Bidwell legacy present in Chico.
We’re seeking passionate, committed individuals to join our Board of Directors. As a board member, you’ll help guide our projects, shape programs, and contribute to the work that keeps the spirit of the mansion alive during this pivotal time. Whether your strengths lie in history, education, fundraising, event planning, or simply a deep appreciation for this historic site, your perspective is welcome. |
If you’re ready to share your time and talents, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our board member application to learn more.
