Asked at Chico Saturday Farmer’s Market
Lisa Carson
Teacher
I have mixed feelings about Bidwell Mansion being rebuilt because I know we can’t bring it back to its original form. As a child, I loved visiting it, but to be able to recreate it would be impossible. I think something that would honor the Native Americans that also had their baskets burned there, maybe creating a natural structure that honors the Native Americans and John and Annie’s desire to make Chico a historical place of culture.
John Rollo
College student
I think at the very least they need is to clean it up. That goes without saying. Whether or not they rebuild, I can’t really speak to that, but if they do rebuild I think they should try to keep it as true to the original if possible. But, I also know that a lot of the native people in the area didn’t like that, and it was a beacon of oppression for a lot of people, so that needs to be taken into consideration as well. I don’t think I’m the person who should get to say much about it but regardless, they should ask a wider range of people [instead of] just a city council board.
Prince Stevens
Caregiver
I think the Bidwell Mansion should be rebuilt because it was a really nice place, and if they have the chance to do that, it would be a good thing.
Betsey Downey
Insurance Adjuster
All community members should have a say in what happens, both native to California and native to these lands, so it’s not just a unilateral government decision. That’s the best way to honor that space going forward. It was beautiful as what it was, but it has to be something different going forward.
