Shaving Mugs at the Peel Museum
A Slice of Bentonville Barbershop History
Among the many fascinating artifacts at the Peel Museum & Botanical Garden is a collection of historic shaving mugs—each with its own story to tell about Bentonville’s past.
These mugs originally belonged to patrons of the Elkhorn Barber Shop, once located on the Bentonville Square. During his time in Washington, D.C., Congressman Samuel W. Peel noticed that local barbershops provided each customer with their own shaving mug—an early effort to improve hygiene and reduce cross-contamination.
When Samuel Peel returned to Bentonville, he brought the idea (and his own mug) with him to the Elkhorn Barber Shop. Soon, the town’s businessmen followed suit, each commissioning a personalized mug that was stored and proudly displayed on the wall in what became known as “The Bentonville Rack.”
Shaving Mugs as Status Symbols
These mugs weren’t just functional—they became symbols of status and identity. Each one was uniquely decorated to reflect its owner’s profession, personality, or interests. The barbershop’s display became a who’s who of Bentonville’s business community.
Today, the Peel Museum exhibits a portion of that original collection, including four shaving mugs that belonged to the Peel family. One belonged to David Peel, who lived in the house as a teenager. The other three mugs belonged to David’s sons, making them among the newest additions to the Peel Museum—donated by the Bentonville History Museum.
These everyday items offer a meaningful glimpse into the personal lives and social customs of early Bentonville—and we’re honored to help preserve and share that legacy.
