Peel Museum
Compton Gardens
Coler
Osage Park
The Quiver
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About

The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden

The mission of Peel Museum and Botanical Garden is to preserve the rich history of Northwest Arkansas in the late 1800s through the interpretation of historic buildings, significant objects, and educational garden spaces that connect the past with the present.

We aim to inspire the community to explore and appreciate the story of this early Bentonville historic home & gardens.

This space is provided by the Peel Compton Foundation, whose mission is to cultivate experiences that connect the community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation.

1872

Samuel Peel purchases the land

1874

Construction of the Peel home begins.

1875

The house was completed, and the Peel family would reside there until 1902.

1902

Following Mary Peel’s passing, Samuel Peel moves out, and the home changes ownership multiple times over the next 80 years.

1910

Samuel Peel sells the house to J.J. Jones, who resides there for four years.

1914

Captain William Edwin Ammons purchases the home.

1920

W.L. English acquires the home and applies the grey stucco exterior.

Late 1930s

Lee A. Allen bought the property and operated a dairy farm until 1983. The house remains unoccupied for nearly 50 years.

1983

Jorgia Burge purchases the home from J.W. Allen, completing structural upgrades.

1991

Walmart Inc. acquires the home from Jorgia Burge, and Helen Walton initiates restoration efforts.

1991

Helen Walton and community leaders establish The Peel House Foundation, with Walmart Inc. donating the house for preservation as The Peel Mansion and Heritage Gardens.

1995

The Peel Museum is added to the National Register of Historic Places.

2021

The Botanical Garden receives botanical accreditation.

2023

The Peel Museum wins “Best of NWA” award for Museums.

2023

The Botanical Garden is named one of Arkansas’s Top 5 Gardens by Southern Living readers in the “South’s Best Awards.”

2024

The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Peel Museum’s “School Days” program receives the Award of Outstanding Achievement in Education from the Arkansas Museums Association.

2025

The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden celebrates 150 years since the home’s construction. Learn more about our 150th Anniversary celebration!

2025

The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden was awarded the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award, given to accomodations, attractions and restaurants that consistent earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Explore the Museum

Learn more about The Peel Museum.

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