A Legacy in Ornament Form: Celebrating the Peel Museum’s 150th Anniversary

This year, the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden celebrates a major milestone: 150 years since Congressman Samuel West Peel and his wife, Mary Emaline Peel, built their family home in 1875. To commemorate the occasion, we’re proud to release a limited-edition anniversary ornament that captures the story, architecture, and heritage of the Peel Museum. 

A Design Inspired by Peel’s Historic Architecture

The ornament is modeled after one of the home’s most recognizable features — the double arched windows on the front façade. These elegant arches are a signature element of Italianate design, a style known for its symmetry, decorative trim, and Renaissance-inspired details. Their simplicity is timeless, yet they carry deep meaning, symbolizing both the home’s historic significance and the craftsmanship that went into building it.

The ornament also features two meaningful details. The apple blossom cutout is a nod to the 40 to 60 acres of orchards that once surrounded the Peel property. This land not only supported the family, but also tied the home to early agricultural life in Northwest Arkansas. At the center of the ornament is the original Peel family insignia, which once appeared on their china and personal items. Including it in the design creates a direct, lasting connection to the people who once lived here.

Every line, curve, and detail in the ornament was thoughtfully chosen. It’s not just decorative; it’s a small piece of Peel history you can hang on your tree.

Created by Artists with Peel Museum Connections

The 150th Anniversary Ornament was lovingly designed and donated by Becky McCoy and Rainy Brey-Hopwood of Fifth Street Studios.

Becky Douglas McCoy is a fourth-generation Bentonville native whose creative journey began as a graphic designer for JCPenney and Walmart in the 1970s. Over the years, she’s poured her talents into supporting local nonprofits, community events, and arts initiatives — many of which tie back to the Peel Museum and its legacy.

In the 1990s, Becky collaborated with the Bentonville Garden Club to design some of the museum’s earliest ornaments for the Christmas at Peel Galas — a tradition many local families still remember fondly.

Now, decades later, Becky returns with a new design to celebrate this special anniversary. With help from Rainy Brey-Hopwood, this ornament is more than a celebration — it’s a continuation of a tradition rooted in community and creativity.

A Keepsake for the Next 150 Years

Whether hung on a holiday tree or displayed year-round, the ornament is a thoughtful keepsake for anyone who loves architecture, local history, or the enduring story of the Peel family.

Visitors often share how deeply they connect to the home after touring the museum or strolling through the gardens. This ornament allows that connection to live on in your home!

Now Available at the Peel Museum Store

The 150th Anniversary Ornament is available now at the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden store. Every purchase supports the Peel Compton Foundation and its mission to cultivate experiences that connect our community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation.

We invite you to celebrate 150 years of Peel history with us. One ornament at a time, we continue to keep the story alive for future generations.