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: $5
Seniors: $3
Child (18 and 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
Happy International Credit Union Day to our friends at the Staley Credit Union!🎉
Over the past 6 months we've shared with you some of the early history of the Staley Credit Union and their start at the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company, but there's plenty more to learn!
Visit the museum to see our display on the Staley Credit Union, plus the rest of the unique history we offer!
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 1-4PM
$5/Adult, $3/Senior, $1/Child
Celebrating 95 Years of Staley Credit Union
What can you see when you visit the Staley Museum?
Not only can you see our exhibit on the history of the credit union and its early beginning at the Staley Mfg. Co., but you can also see some neat artifacts! Most of these were likely handed out as promotional items to encourage membership, just like many companies still do today!
Interested in learning more?
Visit the Staley Museum! We're open Tuesday through Saturday from 1-4PM.
Admission is $5/Adult, $3/Senior, and $1/Child
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Explore the Staley Museum!
Open today, 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
📸 A.E. Staley Sr. with his car in front of the Staley office building during its construction in 1929.
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Love Legos?
Come check out our Lego model of the Staley Office Building!
It took nearly 30,000 bricks to build, around 150 hours to complete, and weighs in at 50 pounds!
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 1-4PM
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"The Fountain to the Blue Heron" designed by Jens Jensen, a Danish landscape artist who earned nationwide notoriety for his designs of state parks, estates, and campuses . He is one of the leading artists of the prairie movement in landscaping.
Between 1928 and 1930, Jensen was responsible for the design of all grounds and gardens for the Staley Office Building. The fountain featured 4 bronze herons at the center and over 50 bronze frogs, which lined the edge of the 50 foot, circular basin. The fountain was installed behind the office building.
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