Peeling Back the Curtain
An Introduction is in Order
Sitting proudly in front of Walmart Supercenter #100 is a large, majestic Italianate style home that has been a part of the Bentonville, Arkansas landscape since 1875. The home has become such a staple and regular feature that most residents have never stepped inside, simply passing it on their way to work every morning not giving it a second thought.
But what really goes on in the big, stately home and why is it important?
Well, that is where I come in!
My name is Chelsea Stewart, and I am the Museum Manager & Curator of the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden. The history of the house, collections & archives, and the land surrounding it are an integral part of Northwest Arkansas history and I’m here to give a sneak peek behind the scenes look at some of that history. Whether you are a local who wants to learn more, visiting the area soon, or a lover of all things history (like me), there should be something for everyone in this series.
The Basic Facts:
The Peel home was built in 1875 by Congressman Samuel W. Peel and his wife Mary Emaline Berry Peel. The couple had 9 living children and the youngest was born the same year the family moved into the house. The two oldest children, Alice, and James were already married and out of the house at this time, but they did visit often with their families. The property included a large farm and between 40 to 60 acres of orchards that made the Peel’s a fully self-sufficient family. In 1882, Samuel Peel is elected to Congress and serves as a Representative for the state of Arkansas from 1883 until 1893. He is the first person born in Arkansas to represent the state at the federal level.
