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
Exciting news! Our gift shop is now online!
Check it out here! ➡ the-staley-museum.square.site/s/shop
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
...everywhere you go in the Staley Museum!
1 CommentComment on Facebook
How lovely and festive for christmas
Yesterday we held our first annual Thanks for Giving evening to celebrate the generosity of our volunteers. As a gift, each volunteer received a certificate of our appreciation and a special Staley Museum Volunteer lapel pin.
Though we only recently started tracking our volunteers hours this year, some have been with us far longer. Larry and Mary Anne, pictured receiving their certificate and pins, were among our very first group of volunteers. Others, like our wonderful Master Gardeners, have been with us since before we were open to the public. Some, like Mike “Slim” Slimbarski, have even helped all the way from Loudon, Tennessee.
Regardless of how long they have been with us or the hours they have contributed, we hold each and every one of them close to our hearts.
To our volunteers, past and present, we thank you for your dedication and support of the museum.
We would also like to add a special thanks to Angie at the Beach House in Decatur for hosting us last night and for the cozy atmosphere and delicious meal!
Included here are some pictures from last night's event.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thanks to Everyone that makes the Staley Museum part of their life.
Thank you for the wonderful evening! The food was good and the company even better!
Thank you for a really nice evening out. I enjoyed visiting.
A look back at the November 1924 Staley Journal
1. "We're hard guys, we are," Avory McGlade and Red Thornborough said. Maybe they are, but they would both need expert accountants to count up the long list of friends they each have.
2. Our version of Parade Rest! The prominent figure in the center, Bill Stewart, had his doubts about the ability of any camera to with-stand the shock of his presence, but his friends gathered to his support and the attempt was a success. The men in the picture are JE Allen, MC Lilly, William Stewart, Eddie Ekhoff, Charles Johnson, Carl Oakes, Mike O'Donald.
3. "The brains of the Staley fire department," Cap Whitten and George Leonard. Cap assumed a most fatherly attitude when George stood up beside him, didn't he? And please notice the cottage before which they are standing. It's Caps's same old "guard house" whit a new foundation and a new coat of paint.
4. This might be called the Three Wise Men. At any rate there are three of them, and they are men. Spud Moran, Kenneth Keck and Bob Carver is the way they are known in the plant.
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
These are cool. Many of my Leaser family worked there. Got any pictures of them to share?
my grand-pa ,Jack Howley , on top of the Staley admin bldg - Jack is in the middle of this trio
So cool!
Pictured is Mr. Staley wearing a cap and gown on the 8th floor of the Staley Administration Building. Mr. Staley was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by James Millikin University in recognition of his high attainments as an industrialist.
Learn more about his life and achievements by visiting the museum.
Open Tuesday through Saturday, 1-4PM.
Admission is $3/Adult, $1/Child
Questions? Call 217-422-1212 or Email info@staleymuseum.com
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great man. Treated employees like family.
Wow Mark looks just like him.
Honestly, it kinda looks like John Goodman lol.
1 CommentComment on Facebook
thank you for making these gifts available online