Visit Us
at The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden
Find Us
Thanks to the Arvest Foundation, general admission is free.
Our Hours
Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday-Monday Closed
Call Us
Since 1991, the Peel Compton Foundation has operated the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden, celebrating Bentonville’s rich history and horticultural traditions. Built in 1875 by Congressman Samuel West Peel and Mary Emaline Berry Peel, the iconic Italianate-style home has welcomed thousands of visitors and witnessed the growth of Northwest Arkansas.
The museum offers a glimpse into 19th-century life through historic artifacts and period furnishings, while the surrounding botanical garden features six Victorian-inspired spaces with seasonal blooms. Guests can tour the home, explore the gardens, and visit the museum store for unique gifts.
The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden is a free community space provided by the Peel Compton Foundation, whose mission is to cultivate experiences that connect the community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation.
Take a Tour
Our expert tour guides will take you back in time to immerse yourself in Bentonville’s past, learn what life was like in the 1800’s, and get insights on how the Peel family lived. You will be led through both levels of the historic family home, with time to interact with original artifacts & documents, admire original woodwork & architecture, explore the Victorian-inspired botanical gardens, & shop at the beloved gift store.
Tours begin every 30 minutes. The last tour of the day starts 1 hour before closing. The garden and first floor of the museum are wheelchair accessible.
Free
45 minutes
Schedule ahead for a group of 6+
Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm
Audio Tours
To access our self-guided audio tour, simply fill out the short online form provided at the link below. Once submitted, you’ll be redirected to the start of the tour. The process is quick and easy, giving you instant access to explore at your own pace.
Become a Tour Guide
Volunteer Tour Guides at the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden provide tours and are an essential part of sharing the history of the Peel family and Northwest Arkansas with visitors. If you are someone who is interested in history, education, and serving the community, volunteering as a tour guide at the Peel Museum may be for you! Our volunteer program offers quarterly outings as a group and other activities to enhance the volunteer experience.
Schedule a Group Tour
The Peel Museum
The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden preserves the history of 19th-century Bentonville through its restored architecture, historic artifacts, and the story of the Peel family. Built in 1875, the Italianate-style mansion once stood on a 160-acre working farm with orchards, gardens, and livestock.
Congressman Samuel Peel, a veteran, lawyer, and businessman from Northwest Arkansas, built the home as a promise to his wife, Mary Emaline Berry Peel, to create a stately residence reminiscent of her Alabama childhood. The museum features 10 rooms, a tower, and originally had eight coal fireplaces, reflecting the family’s status locally and nationally.
After being abandoned for over 50 years, the home underwent a major restoration in the early 1990s and opened as a museum in 1993. Today, it offers visitors an authentic glimpse into 19th-century life in Bentonville through the legacy of the Peel family.
Botanical Garden
The property features a certified botanical garden with flowering plants, trees, and shrubs that capture the essence of the Victorian period while remaining relevant to modern gardening. Six distinct garden spaces showcase landscape trends from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting the plantings that were originally found on the property when the house was built in 1875.
More Outdoor Features
Ice House
There is an ice house on the property, original to the Peel home. An ice house is a building that stores large blocks of ice for use throughout the year. During the Victorian era in Arkansas, residential ice houses were not common. In fact, they were considered a rare luxury, as this is the only documented residential ice house in the state.
South Porch Well
Neon Sign
Museum Store
The Museum Store at Peel Museum and Botanical Gardens is the perfect place to shop for unique items and gifts. Our gift shop carries souvenirs, local goods & gifts, Arkansas-based art, artisan foods, and pieces that all outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs will love!