A Special Lecture: Master Craftsman Tim Simonds and his restoration work on Bidwell Mansion

Join us for a captivating lecture by Tim Simonds, Master Craftsman and Restoration Specialist, who has played a vital role in preserving one of Chico’s most iconic structures—the Bidwell Mansion. For 28 years, Simonds worked under the California Department of Parks and Recreation to restore and reconstruct key structural elements of the Mansion and its Carriage House.

His efforts included rebuilding areas added after John Bidwell’s death, such as Annie’s kitchen, dormitories, classrooms, and dining hall, which had been introduced by Chico Normal School (now CSU, Chico). With precision and care, Tim used repurposed old-growth redwood and vintage methods to painstakingly repair and restore the Mansion’s original Italianate details, returning it to John Bidwell's 1868 vision.

This talk, accompanied by historic photographs taken by Rob Hanford, will offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at the demolition and restoration process, highlighting the craftsmanship and historical fidelity involved in preserving Chico’s heritage.