Peel Mansion: The Lore and The Truth

In this episode of Unexplained America, your host Lisa brings to you the history/haunted legends and lore of the Peel Mansion (Peel Museum and Botanical Gardens in Bentonville, Arkansas). This is the first spooky episode in our month of October Spooky episodes. Imagine shadowy figures, heavy footsteps that are not connected to a human figure, chords being played on a piano when no one sits at it, the tears of a child that is not inside the home, and grueling stories of botched surgeries. All of this makes up the alleged paranormal experiences at the Peel Mansion over the past 150 years. Lisa begins with discussing Samuel West Peel and his life leading to the building of the Peel Mansion in 1875 which at that time he called "The Oaks". Colonel Peel as he was known, and his family called The Oaks their home for over a quarter of a century. In 1902, Mary Peel passes away and Colonel Peel no longer wishes to live in his beloved mansion home in Bentonville. Lisa discusses the passing of time and ownership of the Peel Mansion and then the legends attributed to the Mansion in later years. Lisa will also explain her own personal tour of the home. Listen to the entire episode and share your thoughts. References and Sources For Episode: 'Honorable Samuel W. Peel'-The Springdale News--Fri. Aug 24, 1888. 'Colonel Peel is Dead After Long Illness'--The Star Progress--Fri Dec. 26, 1924. 'Civil War Home has Its Backers'--The Sun --Fri. Nov 26, 1993. 'State Celebrates Halloween..'--Batesville Guard--Fri Oct. 15, 2010. https://mosthauntedplacesintheworld.com/is-the-peel-mansion-haunted-arkansas/ 'Peel Family Mansion'--Batesville Guard--Mon. Jul 11, 1994. 'Col. Peel Said to be Married'--Arkansas Democrat--Sun. Dec. 1, 1907. 'The Life of Samuel West Peel'--Paragould Daily Press--Tues. Dec. 13, 2022. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/peel-mansion-museum-and-heritage-gardens-1116/ 'Echoes of the Past: Haunted Peel Mansion'--Across the Ozarks written by Mark Kumming --Special to the Pea Ridge times, AR. Posted by Silver Dollar City FB page 10/22/25. Youtube Videos: Radaventures CO--The Ghost of Peel Mansion/The Haunted Story of Bentonville, Arkansas.--Dec. 26, 2025. Peel Mansion & Heritage Gardens--Peel Mansion by Arkansas Arts Academy--Posted 7 yrs ago. Crazy Person--About the Peel Mansion in Bentonville, AR--Jul. 24, 2018. Shoutout to Lydia --Tour Guide at the Peel Museum-- https://peelcompton.org/peel-museum-botanical-garden/ Episodes DID include other information via: https://www.newspapers.com/ https://www.ancestry.com/ Big Thanks go out to Gage Fears for his original music made for Unexplained Arkansas the Podcast usage--His contact below--find him on Instagram!! https://www.facebook.com/gfearsmedia?rdid=2J3DmRrwK1yzecQl&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16Ws41EzTt%2F# https://www.instagram.com/i_deliver_pizza/ To connect w/ Unexplained America: [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586477442538 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rIqbuh-TeAl_9dZNL3fUA https://www.instagram.com/unexplained_america/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unexplainedamerica Find me on all Podcasts Platforms. Xoxoxoxo, Lisa