The Sewing Room Reopened

May 29th, 2019

The Sewing Room was refurnished and reopened in May, 2019 after being closed for over a decade and being used as storage for miscellaneous furniture and objects. The room is in the Inventory after Annie’s death as “Sewing Room” and was furnished as a bedroom but did not contain a sewing machine...

Annie belonged to a “sewing society” with many entries in her diary about these get-togethers at various women’s houses. The society, among other projects, made quilts, worked on garments for the Indian children, and “for the sufferers of the S.F.” on April 30, 1906. It does not appear that Annie embroidered, but would buy embroidery and send it as gifts or would add it to garments. She also enjoyed sewing with her sister Sally when she came to visit.

Some of the objects in the room include: White Family Rotary Sewing Machine – 1890-1900; Pole Needlepoint Tapestry Stand – c. 1820; Sewing Basket table – early 1900’s; Quilt – double nine-patch made with white and calico cotton quilted by hand – c. 1900; and The Delineator Magazine – 1909.

Time Capsule Contents Conserved

March 1st, 2016

The contents of the time capsule found on the grounds of Bidwell Mansion State Park will be available for public viewing beginning March 5. The time capsule was discovered under the historical monument at Sol-wil-le-no Avenue and Esplanade during construction work. Copies of the pages will be available for the public to look through during regular Visitor Center hours – Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The conservation process included humidifying rolled paper, lifting each page and lining with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste and placing each page into Mylar sleeves for protection.

Bidwell Mansion Time Capsule

September 10th, 2014

On the morning of November 4, 2014, a construction crew working for the City of Chico was attempting to relocate a historic marker at Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park when the time capsule was found in the foundation base. In order to complete the City’s sidewalk improvement project, the City of Chico needed to move and relocate the monument by approximately 10 feet from its current location. It was determined that moving the marker the short distance would improve the area for pedestrian traffic and still maintain the integrity and the spirit of the monument.

During the relocation efforts, a small cavity was discovered in the foundation of the marker, with a copper box inside. State Parks officials were notified immediately and the capsule was taken to a safe location. Its origin is unknown, though the marker under which it was found was placed almost 90 years ago.

On October 16, 1925, the marker was placed at what is now the corner of Sol-Wil-Le-No Avenue and Esplanade (in the south east corner of Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park), by the Pioneer Historic Association of California. It was set there to mark the Oregon Trail and the area of the old adobe built in 1852. The marker was erected to commemorate General and Mrs. Bidwell, pioneers and founders of the City of Chico.

“This was an unexpected surprise to the Park and our community,” said California State Parks Superintendent Aaron Wright. “Time capsules are usually put together with items to represent a snapshot in time, so we are looking forward to see what we find inside.”

California State Parks staff opened the time capsule to reveal its contents at 10:00 a.m. at the Mansion. The public was invited to attend. Hundreds gathered in front of the Mansion.

State Parks employees chose not to peek before the public unveiling. A Dremel tool was used to cut through three sides of the lid, and the fourth side was removed while the public watched. When the lid was pulled back, people saw three rolls of fiber and paper. All three were damaged by age.

The box was promptly placed in a glass display case in the Bidwell Mansion Visitor Center. Curators examined the contents in December. Probing of the fiber packing rolls indicated that there were no solid objects inside. A paper conservator will come to the Mansion in March and further examine the contents, then make recommendations for opening the fiber and paper rolls.