BENTONVILLE, Ark. — What once was built on a dirt road in the late 1800s, is now sitting in front of Bentonville's busiest street near a global, Fortune 500 company.
Peel Mansion, which belonged to Samuel and Mary Emailine Peel, was built just ten years after the end of the Civil War. In the 1990s, the community came together to restore the home to its original glory.
Located off of Walton Boulevard in Bentonville, the home now doubles as a historical site and an event center. Its official name is now the Peel Museum and Botanical Garden, which is supported by the Peel Compton Foundation.
They offer free tours to locals and visitors between Tuesday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to experience what life was like for families living in Bentonville in the late 1800s.
During warmer weather, there is also a botanical garden containing several unique gardens, including the perennial, rose, herb, cutting, and vegetable gardens and apple orchards. There is also the Phyllis Abrahams Children’s Memorial Garden to remember loved ones that have been lost. Each garden has an interesting anecdote or meaning, but you'll have to visit to find out!
On the latest episode of Around the Corner, the 5NEWS morning crew couldn't enjoy the gardens due to frigid temperatures. They were, however, able to explore the museum, learn about the Peels's interesting lives, and time travel back to the late 1800s.
The home includes Samuel's study, Mary Emaline's parlor, the dining room, and several bedrooms. Within each room, there are biographies about each member of the Peel family.
Samuel Peel served as a member of the United State House of Representatives and also practiced law. He would often work on cases for the Native American tribes in hopes to help them obtain and keep their own land.
But, when he was back home in Northwest Arkansas, you could find him in his study. Today, there are a lot of his personal items can be found in the office, like letters, his wallet, and his portrait.
The parlor room is the very first room you see when you walk into the Peel home. Mary Emaline spent a lot of her time hosting guests as her husband was gone in D.C. chasing his political career. She had the walls adorned with pink wallpaper. It was her favorite color because she was born on Valentine’s Day.
While the Peel parents had rooms to themselves downstairs, the upstairs of the house was the kids’ territory. Upstairs you can find an original rocking horse named Bucky, which has been passed down through five generations of Peel children.
You can see all of this and more at the Peel Museum and Botanical Garden. Visit their website for more information.
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