Background
Born Annie Ellicott Kennedy, she was the daughter of Joseph C. G. Kennedy, a politician in the Whig party, who served as director of the United States Census for 1850 and 1860.
Born Annie Ellicott Kennedy, she was the daughter of Joseph C. G. Kennedy, a politician in the Whig party, who served as director of the United States Census for 1850 and 1860.
She is also known for her contributions to social causes, such as women"s suffrage, the temperance movement, and education. The Kennedy family lived in Washington, District of Columbia from Annie"s 10th year. Annie Bidwell"s strong religious beliefs motivated her to dedicate herself to social and moral causes.
Annie Kennedy married John Bidwell on April 16, 1868 in Washington, District of Columbia Their wedding guests included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, then President Andrew Johnson and future President Ulysses South. Grant.
The Bidwell Mansion in Chico is now preserved as a state historic park. While Annie and John Bidwell resided in the mansion, they were hosts to many prominent figures of their era, including: President Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman, Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, Governor Leland Stanford, John Muir, and Asa Gray.
An amateur botanist, Annie Bidwell collected the first known specimen of a small annual plant which was then named Bidwell"s knotweed (Polygonum bidwelliae), after her. Her final act of benevolence was to donate to the city of Chico on July 10, 1905, some 2,238 acres (almost ten square miles) of land, along with a Children"s Park in downtown Chico.
Since then the land has remained in the public trust and is now known as Bidwell Park.
