Monthly Archives: October 2017

Harriett’s Halloween Party

How would a group of well-brought-up young people entertain themselves on Halloween 110 years ago? Annie Bidwell’s diary gives us a glimpse. In 1905 Harriett Alexander came to Chico to live at Bidwell Mansion and attend Chico High School. She … Continue reading

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New Exhibit Welcomes Visitors to Bidwell Mansion SHP

The renovation is complete, and Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park has a fabulous new exhibit in the Visitors’ Center. The old exhibits from the 1970s are gone, replaced by handsome new display cabinets, gleaming signage, and engaging audio-visual presentations. To … Continue reading

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A Visit to the Kelly-Griggs House

Continuing my OLLI adventures, today the Historic Houses class visited the Kelly-Griggs House Museum in Red Bluff. The Kelly-Griggs House is a classic example of 19th century American architecture, and one of several handsome Victorian homes in Red Bluff, California. … Continue reading

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The Lincoln Assassination Incarceration

I have to thank the Orland Historical and Cultural Society for bringing this story to my attention on their Facebook page. And a great bit of history it is! On April 20, 1865, Captain Augustus Washington Starr was sent from … Continue reading

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Coming Soon!

I have a new book in the works — a picture book biography of another pioneering Californian — and I want to show you some of the great illustrations that Steve Ferchaud has done for it. What was it like … Continue reading

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A Visit to the Mary Aaron Museum

This fall I am (for the first time) a peer leader for an OLLI class. (OLLI is basically retirees teaching other retirees anything they are interested in.) We are touring historic houses in northern California. Sounds like a fun idea, … Continue reading

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