Each fall, Peel Museum & Botanical Garden comes alive as more than a historical landmark—it becomes a living classroom. In 2025, 1,362 students from 12 schools across the Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Gravette districts journeyed through time during School Days, an immersive, hands-on field trip designed by the Peel Compton Foundation.

Through engaging stations led by local experts and cultural partners, students explored pioneer life, learned regional heritage, and developed deeper connections to the stories woven into our land.

Mission in Action

The mission of the Peel Compton Foundation is to cultivate experiences that connect the community through nature, education, recreation, and preservation. Through initiatives like School Days, the foundation:

• Advances place‑based education grounded in local history and ecology
• Inspires curiosity, creativity, and interdisciplinary thinking
• Builds community partnerships with museums, artisan guilds, historic societies, and cultural groups
• Strengthens cultural awareness, especially around Indigenous heritage and Arkansas traditions
• Encourages stewardship of historic sites and natural landscapes

A Day in the Life of a Student at School Days 2025

From the moment students stepped onto the grounds, they were invited to journey into the past. Participating in a rotation of immersive stations, they engaged with history in tactile, memorable ways. Here’s a closer look at what they experienced:

Sioux Creek Forge – Blacksmithing

Students gathered around the glowing forge as blacksmiths demonstrated how pioneers shaped iron into essential tools, hardware, and household items. Sparks flew as they learned the craft and effort behind everyday pioneer life.

NWA Historic Dancers – 1800s Dance

With live music and traditional attire, students were led through dances from the 1800s, learning how music and movement brought early communities together during social gatherings and celebrations.

Amazeum – Needle Felting

Hands-on creativity took center stage as students turned natural wool fibers into small felted keepsakes. They learned how pioneers used raw materials for clothing, crafts, and warmth—no machines needed.

Museum of Native American History

This powerful station shared Indigenous stories, traditions, and artifacts. Students connected with the enduring legacy of Native peoples and gained a deeper understanding of Arkansas’s original cultures.

Parmelee Homesteading Creations – Canning

Canning was once a survival skill. Here, students saw how fruits and vegetables were preserved to last through winter, gaining insight into the science and self-reliance that sustained early families.

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History – Arkansas History & Symbols

From the mockingbird to the diamond, students explored Arkansas’s state symbols and pioneer history. This station highlighted regional pride and how stories from the Ozarks continue to shape identity today.

Marshall Mitchell Entertainment – 1800s Cowboy Music

Cowboy songs came to life as students listened to trail stories through music. This toe-tapping session brought frontier tales into sharp focus with melodies and lyrics that spanned generations.

Bentonville Garden Club – Apple Orchard & History

Under the shade of heirloom apple trees, students learned how orchards once powered Bentonville’s economy. They discovered the varieties that used to thrive here and their community impact.

Stateline Woodturners – Woodturning Spin Tops

Using a tabletop lathe, artisans showed how wooden toys like spin tops were made. Students watched as each toy was crafted on-site, blending fun with a lesson in woodworking traditions.

NWA Handweavers Guild – Handweaving

Students sat at mini looms to try their hand at weaving cloth the way early settlers did. This station highlighted the patience, skill, and artistry behind every woven item in the pre-industrial era.

Peel Museum – Historic House & Grounds Tour

Docents guided students through the beautifully preserved Peel home and its surrounding gardens. Every room told a story, helping students imagine what life was like for the Peel family and their neighbors.

Impact Beyond the Day

The benefits of School Days extend far beyond a single field trip:

• Reinforced curricula: It reinforces classroom lessons in state history, social studies, science (e.g. food preservation, materials), and cultural studies.
• Increased engagement: Students often report greater enthusiasm for regional history or heritage topics after immersive experiences.
• Expanded partnerships: The program strengthens relationships between schools, museums, cultural organizations, and community volunteers.
• Long-term stewardship: When students see heritage preserved and celebrated, they are more likely to value and protect it themselves.
• Equitable access: As a free program, financial barriers are removed so all students can participate.