Bentonville has changed dramatically since its reconstruction after the Civil War. Now, as Arkansas' tenth largest city, Bentonville is best known as home to the world's largest retailer.
   First named Osage after a local Native tribe, Bentonville became incorporated in 1873. Not long afterward, Colonel Samuel West Peel began construction on a magnificent home. Following the Italianate Villa style, the mansion was built on the outskirts of town and was surrounded by a 180 acre farm. Colonel Peel, a Confederate soldier, was appointed as a legal representative to the Five Civilized Tribes. Also the first native from Arkansas to be elected to the United States Congress, Peel, and his wife Mary Emaline Berry Peel, raised nine children here in Bentonville.
   Today, the Peel Mansion faces a busy South Walton Boulevard, but its surrounding big trees and gardens isolate it from a busy shopping center and area traffic. Over the years the mansion has managed to maintain its wonderfully sculpted interior details and is decorated with early Victorian period furnishings. Much of the art and antiques are originals from the Peel family. Other furnishings are on loan from the old Arkansas State House.
   Especially beautiful in the spring, mansion tours are conducted Tuesdays through Saturdays and start at 10:00 am. Tours, lasting about 45 minutes, begin on the hour. The mansion and surrounding heritages gardens are available for private events, such as weddings ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal diners, luncheons and civic gatherings.

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