The Chico Women's Club began in 1913 as the Chico Art Club. Our founding mothers included Annie Bidwell and Margaret March, the first president.

Meetings were held in each other's homes until they built our present clubhouse in 1933. A fire in 1950 destroyed all of the Club's early records. The 1951 yearbook lists 242 members by their husband's first and last names! It also indicates that they were a part of the National Federation of Women which was known for its progressive agenda.

By the 1960's they called themselves the Chico Women's Club and used their own first names. In the 1970's they helped create Caper Acres and restore Bidwell Mansion. They also began hosting the mansion's Holiday Open House and we still do today.