Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
*HEAT ALERT: With temperatures set to exceed 110 degrees throughout much of the state this week, California is urging everyone to take extra precautions as they celebrate the Fourth of July. Governor Newsom has directed the Office of Emergency Services to activate its State Operations Center. Read about how California is preparing for this heatwave. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of California from 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, through Sunday, July 7, at 8 p.m. PDT. Please be sure to take extra precautions when heading outdoors and know before you go by checking the park’s webpage ahead of time. Visit our safety tips webpage and get the latest on the weather at weather.gov.
The Park is currently CLOSED.
Bidwell Mansion Restoration Work to Begin in Spring 2024
The Bidwell Mansion will soon begin a restoration project and will be temporarily closed to the public. The project is anticipated to begin in mid-May and be completed by the end of this year, pending weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances. The mansion and the visitor center will be temporarily closed during this project.
Restoration work will address critical exterior repairs of the historic mansion. The scope of work will include but not be limited to:
This webpage will be updated with the latest park information. Thank you for your support and patience as State Parks works to provide public access to this historic landmark in early 2025.
The Bidwell Mansion will soon begin a restoration project and will be temporarily closed to the public. The project is anticipated to begin in mid-May and be completed by the end of this year, pending weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances. The mansion and the visitor center will be temporarily closed during this project.
Restoration work will address critical exterior repairs of the historic mansion. The scope of work will include but not be limited to:
- restoration of all exterior wood components such as the second-floor balustrade railings, eaves, doors, windows and other architectural components.
- installation of a new roof, including repair or replacement of gutters
- minor plaster siding repair and re-painting of the entire building exterior.
This webpage will be updated with the latest park information. Thank you for your support and patience as State Parks works to provide public access to this historic landmark in early 2025.
Park Facilities
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
About Bidwell Mansion
Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is a beautiful, three-story, 26 room Victorian House Museum that stands as a memorial to John and Annie Bidwell. John Bidwell was known throughout California and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician and philanthropist. Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell, the daughter of a socially prominent, high ranking Washington official, was deeply religious, and committed to a number of moral and social causes. Annie was very active in the suffrage and prohibition movements.
The Bidwell's were married April 16, 1868 in Washington, D.C. with then President Andrew Johnson and future President Ulysses S. Grant among the guests. Upon arrival in Chico, the Bidwell's used the Mansion extensively for entertainment of friends. Some of the guests that visited Bidwell Mansion were President Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman, Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, Governor Stanford, John Muir, and Asa Gray.
When constructed, Bidwell Mansion featured the most modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems. The overall style of the three-story brick structure is that of an Italian Villa, an informal, warmly romantic style. The building's exterior is finished with a pink tinted plaster.
As of January 1, 2023, no person shall possess a metal detector or other geophysical discovery device or use a metal detector or other geophysical discovery techniques to locate or recover subsurface objects or features within all units of the Northern Buttes District., including Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park, as pursuant to ORDER NO. 645-402. The prohibition of metal detectors and other geophysical discovery devices in this area is in effect for the protection of cultural and historic resources.
Location - Directions
The Mansion is located at 525 Esplanade.
From Highway 99: Take East First Avenue exit and head west. Turn Left on Esplanade. The park is located on the right hand side of the road at Memorial Way and Esplanade.
From Highway 5: Take Highway 32 exit at Orland east 20 miles to West Sacramento Avenue. Turn left (east) onto West Sacramento Avenue to The Esplanade where you turn right (south).
Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised. The mansion is temperature controlled.
Accessibility
Tours consist of three floors of Bidwell Mansion, including approximately 50 stairs. The first floor of Bidwell Mansion is accessible via an exterior ramp. The two upper levels are only accessible by stairs. For visitors unable to climb stairs, an open-captioned video of the 2nd and 3rd floors may be viewed in the Visitor Center.
The Visitor Center is completely accessible. It includes restrooms, water fountain, a lobby, a museum store, an exhibit hall and a theater.
