If you ask most people to name the top three things they couldn’t live without, air conditioning is probably on the list. We think of it as an essential part of daily life—personally, I couldn’t imagine summer without it. But humans have lived thousands of years without modern AC. So, how did the Victorians—and more specifically, the Peel family—stay cool during those hot and humid Arkansas summers?

Architecture Meets Functionality

A clever combination of architectural and decorative elements helped keep the Peel family comfortable. The Peel Museum is not only a stunning example of Italianate architecture, but it was also designed to be functional for its climate.

One key principle is that hot air rises. To take advantage of this, the house was built with high ceilings—twelve feet in most rooms—allowing the hot air to gather near the ceiling while cooler air stayed down where people lived and worked.

Lightweight Curtains and Screen Doors

When you visit the museum, you’ll notice sheer, lightweight, or lace curtains on many windows. Unlike heavy drapes, these allowed air to flow freely through open windows.

Historic photos show a screen door in front of the wooden front door, which was often left open during warm months. This setup let fresh air circulate inside without inviting insects or animals in.

The Evolution of Cooling

While not as cold as modern homes, the Peel family’s house stayed relatively cool with constant air movement. By the mid-20th century (1940s–1960s), air conditioning became common in American homes, and ceiling heights were lowered since airflow was less of a concern. Today, high ceilings are returning as a popular stylistic choice, though modern HVAC systems handle the cooling.

Keep up with our Peeling Back the Curtain series every two weeks for deeper insights into the history of the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden!

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