John Bidwell: Overland to California, 1841

The Chico Museum's Spring lecture series will have a talk featuring Dave Nopel.

Dave will present the story of John Bidwell's 1841 overland journey from the Missouri River to California. As the overland party set out in May, 1841, Bidwell was just 21 years old, but he would take his place as a member and leader of this first group of European-Americans to cross the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, then across the Great Basin and over the Sierra Nevada mountains to California with the intent of staying and "settling" in California. The overland group is remembered historically as the Bidwell-Bartleson Party or the Bartleson-Bidwell Party. Take your pick.

Nopel will build his presentation around projected pictures and several readings from Bidwell's 1841 journal and later reminiscences. This program was first presented by Nopel in January at the Bidwell Mansion Visitor's Center as part of the Bidwell Mansion Association's series of events and programs recognizing 200 years since John Bidwell's birth in 1819. Not to be missed!! $5 donation requested. Refreshments will be served. Come early for best seating. 

The lecture will be held at the Chico Museum on Saturday, March 30th, at 10:00 a.m. Please contact the Chico Museum at 530-891-4336 or email rtjarguy@aol.com for further information.