The Staley Museum in Decatur, Illinois
The Staley Museum opened its doors to the public during the summer of 2015. We are excited be a full-fledged member of our community. Here you will find updates and news about the museum and exciting events going on.
The Staley Museum and this web site are both works in progress. We encourage visitors to continue to check back with us and see how we are progressing. We would also like to encourage visitors to the site to share any stories or information they may have regarding Staley history.
Photos, documents, articles and memorabilia are all welcome and appreciated. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Staley museum may contact us through via the Artifact Donation Form found on this site. Also, for anyone in our area who wishes to be a Volunteer at the museum and offer their time and/or expertise, please go to the Volunteer Form and fill out your information so that we may contact you personally. We invite you to Contact Us.
Visit the Staley Museum
The Staley Museum is open year-round
Tuesday – Saturday: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Last Sunday of the month (March – November): 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
Admission
Adults: $3
17 & under: $1
Location
361 N. College Street
Decatur, IL
The Staley Story
A.E. Staley was a big man with big dreams and had the determination to make those dreams a reality. Although he did not arrive on the scene until the 1900’s, his impact of Decatur was such that he is counted as one of the founding fathers. The largeness of his dreams and of his civic minded generosity has contributed in major ways to the city we know today.
It was A.E.’s pioneering vision in the area of soy beans, both the cultivation and processing, that gave Decatur the name “Soy Bean Capitol of the World.”
In the period of one decade, 1920-1930, A.E. Staley made significant contributions to the community of Decatur, being the driving force behind the creation of Lake Decatur, the Staley viaduct, the Staley Office Building, and the formation of the Decatur Staleys football club, later to become the Chicago Bears.
The story of A.E. Staley is one in which the city of Decatur has the right to feel great pride. It is a story which forms a major part in the industrial and agricultural history of central Illinois. We look forward to sharing that pride and history as we work toward the opening of the Staley Museum.
The Staley Office Building: Inaugurated in April, 1930
Also known as “The Castle in the Cornfields”
Photo courtesy of the Hieronymus Mueller Museum
The Staley Office Building: Inaugurated in April, 1930
Also known as “The Castle in the Cornfields”
Photo courtesy of the Hieronymus Mueller Museum
Staley Museum Latest News & Happenings
Mr Staley Was Here!
Mr. Staley’s first visit could be no other than Decatur’s emblematic Transfer House. The very symbol of our community.
You should have seen his surprised expression when he found out that the transfer had been relocated to Central Park (1964). During Staley’s lifetime the transfer house was located at Main & Main streets where it had been built in 1895. It was used as a central transfer point for the early electric street cars and in later times for the bus lines. The building was funded in part by The City Electric Railway ($500) and the remainder of the cost ($2,200) was funded by local merchants who also agreed to help furnish and maintain the building.
A building by and for the community.
Did you know that today you can rent the Transfer House for small events? All you have to do is contact the Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Mr. Staley Was Here
Join the Museum & Mr Staley in Celebrating Decatur:
Support Local History
Support Local Businesses
Support Decatur Attractions
Support Decatur!
“Mr. Staley Was Here” is an awareness campaign to celebrate local attractions and local Businesses.
We are lining up visits to all things local. If you would like Mr. Staley to visit your local business, please contact the museum at:
Info@staleymuseum.com.
Every Saturday the museum will feature on social media one of the sites that Mr. Staley visited.
If you’re out and about and see a “Mr. Staley Was Here” decal, be sure and snap a photo and tell everyone about that business or site you visited & Tag the museum. Let’s all join in the fun and support our community!
1 CommentComment on Facebook
Was the Lincoln Theater built back then?
‼️BIG ANNOUNCEMENT‼️
We Present...
"A Visit to the Castle"
Touring the Iconic Office Building
Coming This Summer!
A fundraising event created in partnership with Primient.
Proceeds will benefit the Staley Museum.
Be on the lookout for more information coming soon!
21 CommentsComment on Facebook
YEAH!! keep us posted and please give us out of towners some notice so we can make arrangements. This is so awesome.
In 1972, Staley’s honored the employees of the building my husband worked in, Dinner at Swartz and a tour of the Staley Building. That place is awesome. Anyone thinking about touring it should go.
I would love to tour the building!
It was a windy day down on the lake today, but we couldn’t have been happier to be there. Today the City of Decatur dedicated Basin 3 as Staley Basin. A beautiful historic marker has been placed to preserve the legacy. Later in the year another marker like this one will be placed at the soon to be renovated boat launch on Country Club Road. Another Historic marker will mark the location of the Staley Pump House.
Mark Staley represented the Staley family. It really is Amazing how much he looks like his Great Grandfather, A.E. Staley Sr.
The Staley Museum is grateful for all those involved in helping to preserve our local history.
Located on the shoreline behind the Devon Amphitheater.
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
That’s wonderful and well-deserved
I’m glad you posted this. We plan to find the marker so that we can read it. Thank you.
GREAT TRIBUTES. STALEY'S WILL ALWAYS BE A BIG PART OF DECATUR. 👍🇺🇸
0 CommentsComment on Facebook