My post this week is for a place that is very near to my heart. On May 13, 2011, Governor Brown of CA announced that he would be closing 70 state parks in an effort to save California $22 million dollars. One of the parks on the list was Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park in my hometown of Chico. This is a place that acts as a Victorian house museum, a memorial to John and Annie Bidwell, and a public space for the city and people of Chico. Nearly every child who went to elementary school in Chico has made at least one class trip to Bidwell Mansion, usually in third grade, and everyone at some point has at least driven, walked or biked past it. The mansion is on one of our main streets, and is located right next to CSU Chico's campus, in the heart of Chico. As the home of the founders of Chico, it is the historical, and geographical center of our town.
John Bidwell was a farmer, pioneer, politician and statesman. He discovered gold soon after John Marshall and founded a ranch and farm called Rancho Arroyo Chico, which eventually became the City of Chico. He was a Republican member of Congress and ran for president with the Prohibition party in 1892. His wife was Annie Kennedy Bidwell, and was active in the prohibition and suffrage movements. They hosted visitors such as President Hayes, General Sherman, Susan B. Anthony, Leland Stanford, Francis Williard, John Muir, Joseph Dalton Hooker and Asa Gray at their mansion in Chico. After both John and Annie died, the house was used as a dormitory for Chico State students, and was later added to the list of California Historical Landmarks and National Registry for Historic Places, restored to the condition the Bidwells left it in, and opened to the public as a museum. Tours of the three story, 26 room mansion are given most days a week, and as I said, it is a popular site for school trips.
The reason I find this to be a significant place is partially due to my bias of being a Chicoan. It is such a symbol of Chico and of our historic place in California, and we're very proud of this house. Many people take prom, engagement and wedding pictures on the steps out front, and others picnic on the lawn. Since the governor made his announcement about closing the park, the town has come together to try and raise enough money to save the park and keep it open. I did a quick google search and found many articles in our local newspapers and magazines about community action and efforts to save Bidwell Mansion. No one seems to be blaming the governor because we know the state is in a dire economic position - we just don't want to see Bidwell Mansion closed. It means too much as a community piece and as a historical place to see it closed. Walking into that house is like stepping back in time, and it is fascinating to hear about the life of John and Annie, as people who were out here in California, but who were active participants in the political and social movements of the time. The house as a museum serves the purpose of helping people see how history can really come together and become real. The things John and Annie were a part of did reach out here, and are a big reason Chico is what it is.
No comments:
Post a Comment