After Hours at the Peel Museum

2026 After Hours Series

During our 2026 After Hours: A Victorian Journey to America’s 250th Anniversary series, guests are invited to explore the Peel Museum and Botanical Garden at their own pace on the second Thursday of each month from 5:00–7:00 PM. Tour guides will be stationed throughout the museum to share stories, answer questions, and highlight connections between Victorian life and America’s approaching 250th anniversary. Visitors may also stop by the hands-on craft table to create a free seasonal project inspired by 19th-century traditions. Families are encouraged to complete the themed scavenger hunt during their visit. Once finished, participants can present it at the Museum Store to receive 15% off one item as a thank-you for exploring with us. Each month features a new historical theme, an engaging craft, and an opportunity to connect past and present in a relaxed and welcoming evening setting.

March 12: National Plant a Flower Day

National Plant a Flower Day celebrates the approaching arrival of spring and encourages us to prepare for a new season of growth!

Join us for a special After Hours program inspired by a treasured object from the Peel family collection. Guests will create a decorative seed packet filled with moss rose seeds, reflecting the floral motif found on Mary Emaline Berry Peel’s teapot. In the Victorian era, flowers carried meaning. The moss rose symbolized love in bloom and joyful affection, sentiments often expressed through the floral patterns that adorned nineteenth century homes. Gardens represented patience, care, and hope for the future.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, this simple act of planting invites reflection on growth across generations. Just as families like the Peels cultivated their homes and gardens in a young nation, we continue to shape what will flourish in the years ahead. Visitors are also invited to add a bloom to our indoor Wish Garden and share what they hope to cultivate this year! Plant something meaningful and watch it grow.

FREE | No registration required | RSVP encouraged