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
A. E. Staley was born more than 150 years ago yet his impact is still felt widely around the world. Our documentary about his life and legacy is now streaming for purchase and rent on Amazon and Amazon Prime. "Fields of Gold" is produced by Spencer Films and Pollack Films in partnership with the Herald & Review and The Staley Museum. www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CV9LX2ZH/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
Don’t Miss This! 😊The history goes back more than 150 years. Our documentary about A. E. Staley is streaming now for purchase and rent on Amazon and Amazon Prime. "Fields of Gold" is produced by Spencer Films and Pollack Films in partnership with the Herald & Review and The Staley Museum. www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0CV9LX2ZH/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r
1 CommentComment on Facebook
it is a well done documentary worth watching!
Last week Staley staff members spent some time in Joliet, IL for the Illinois Association of Museums' annual conference. It was wonderful to meet other museum professionals and learn about their historic sites and discuss new ways to better serve our communities.
Pictured here are some photographs from the Joliet Area Historical Museum where you can learn about the area's diverse history and the Old Joliet Prison, which is currently undergoing intense preservation and restoration efforts by a very dedicated team. Museum staff members were allowed a behind the scenes tour of the former prison, some of which you can see here.
Film and television buffs might recall the Old Joliet Prison from the opening scene of the famous 1980 movie "The Blues Brothers" which starred Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. It also appeared in the hit TV series "Prison Break," among other shows and documentaries.
Illinois is home to many museums, each with their own important and unique stories to tell. We highly encourage you to seek them out!
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