By Melissa Wynn
Back in 1865, General John Bidwell, founder of the City of Chico, California, began construction on a stately, three story, 26 room Victorian mansion on his 26,000 acre ranch in what is now downtown Chico. He built the mansion in anticipation of one day entertaining there as governor. Complete with a second floor ballroom, this fine home is now a California State Parks Museum dedicated to the memory of John Bidwell and his slightly eccentric wife Annie.
The Bidwells lived there together there from 1868 until John passed away in 1900. Annie remained in the house until her death in 1918. Many of the Bidwell’s possessions, including the Hazelton square grand piano, a wedding gift from John to Annie, were willed to their church and ended up sitting in storage for decades. Who would have guessed that these antiques would go full circle and end up right back where they started from? Probably not John or Annie. 
In 1923, Chico State University purchased the building and transformed it into a dormitory for female students. My tour guide, the Bidwell Mansion manager, Amber Drake told me she occasionally sees a lady in her nineties on the tour, full of tales of sliding down the beautifully crafted banister of the staircase. How fun that must have been! The mansion was later dubbed Bidwell Hall and housed the Art and Home Economics departments of the University.
1964 brought more changes for the famous Bidwell Mansion when it was acquired by California State Parks and began the transformation into the museum it is today. Even after the passing of so many years, the church still had many of John and Annie’s original furnishings and other possessions. 
They were happy to donate them to the park for display. Over the years, several other Bidwell originals were donated by locals and every now and then, another long lost piece shows up and becomes part of this wonderful museum.
Much of the landscape surrounding the Bidwell Mansion is also original. The stunning Magnolia that shades the circular drive was planted by John Bidwell in the 1860’s as were the Gingko and Monkey Puzzle trees. It seems the General had an eye for fine exotic plants as well. His choices have certainly stood the tests of time. The grounds are a pleasure to wander through.
A guided tour, lasting about 50 minutes, full of stories of General and Mrs. Bidwell and their gorgeous home, can be enjoyed Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. 
Tours begin on the hour with the last group departing at 4:00. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for kids age 5-17. Little ones 4 and under can come along for free. The visitor center is open Tuesday-Friday from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. and weekends from 10:00 until 5:00 p.m.
Drop in sometime and visit the crew at the Bidwell Mansion. They will happily whisk you back in time to the 1800’s, giving you a peek at a few pages of Chico history and a look into the real lives of some very interesting people. The Mansion is located at 525 Esplanade in Chico. The phone is 530-895-6<–>
