Bentonville, Arkansas, is a city known for its historic sites. The city boasts roughly 72 historic structures and homes. A prominent site among them is the Peel House Mansion and Historical Gardens. The Arkansas mansion conforms to the classic Villa Tower Italianate architecture of the 19th century. The gardens have been meticulously recreated by thorough research of the garden plants pertaining to the bygone era. The Peel House was built in 1875 by Colonel Samuel West Peel, a prominent citizen of his time. This magnificent mansion served as the home of the colonel, his wife and their nine children. The building was originally part of farmstead land located amid 180 acres of apple trees. It now forms an important element of the city landscape, and serves as a museum for the general public to experience the past. The Peel House was built using some of the best materials available during its time. The flooring is done with yellow pine wood, while the exteriors boast a fine stucco finish. The outer stone sills and lintels are embellished with intricate carvings. The front hall contains rare pine graining, and a stairway featuring a smooth curved walnut balustrade. A rare Anglo-Japanese mantle can be seen in the library. The parlor features Greek Revival molded trims. Some of the artifacts have been loaned from the Old State House and the Historic Arkansas Museum. At the gateway of the mansion is the Andy Lynch log cabin, which belongs to an era prior to the Civil War. That log cabin was earlier located at Brightwater, Arkansas. It now serves as the gatehouse and gift shop. Seeds of the plant varieties seen in the historic gardens are available in this gift shop. The library houses the Benton County Preservation project, Benton County Historical Society, the Northwest Arkansas Genealogical Society, and a school history program titled Once Upon a Press.