Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park

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. 

Operating Hours

Visitor Center:
Bidwell Mansions State Historic Park’s Visitor Center is open Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11am to 3pm.

Tour Schedule:
Indoor tours of the mansion will be held Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm. This tour costs $6 for adults, $3 for youth under 18, on a first come-first serve basis, and limited to 10 individuals.
Masks or face-shields are encouraged. Tours can be reserved day of by calling the mansion at (530) 895-6144.

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.