California State Parks Invites Community to In-Person Open House at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park
Contact:
Newsoom@parks.ca.gov
Infographic encouraging participation in the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion Community Open House on October 25.
CHICO – California State Parks invites the public to an in-person open house to learn the latest updates in the recovery planning process for Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park (SHP). The open house, part of the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion SHP planning process, will be 2:30 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Bidwell Mansion SHP Visitor Center. Attendees are welcome to come and go at their convenience, though there will be a short opening presentation at 3 p.m. and brief closing presentation at 4:30 p.m.
The open house will highlight more than a year of community and stakeholder engagement, including results from the online public survey, stakeholder meetings, community pop-ups and more. Attendees will learn about important milestones in the recovery planning process, including the development of planning alternatives, perspectives from the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria, and an updated roadmap for recovery and construction.
The event will begin with a brief orientation and opening presentation outlining the objectives of the open house. Attendees will then explore multiple stations hosted by State Parks staff and partners. In addition to informing attendees about the latest in the planning process, the stations will include opportunities for attendees to contribute feedback and engage in collaborative discussion.
- WHAT: In-person Open House
- WHEN: 2:30 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026
- WHERE: Bidwell Mansion SHP Visitor Center, 525 Esplanade, Chico, CA 95926
- RSVP: Use Eventbrite link.RSVPs are recommended but not required.
- COST: Free event
State Parks understands that not all members of the public will be available to attend the open house. Materials presented at the event will remain on display at the Bidwell Mansion SHP Visitor Center for several weeks following the open house, allowing more opportunities for the public to review the information and provide feedback.
Reimagine Bidwell Mansion
State Parks launched the Reimagine Bidwell Mansion effort in September 2025 to gather community input on the park’s future following the Dec. 11, 2024, fire that significantly damaged the historic mansion. The planning effort will result in a Vision Plan that integrates extensive community, tribal and stakeholder engagement with technical feasibility and existing conditions to identify the best path forward for the park.
For the latest updates, please visit ReimagineBidwellMansion.org.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.