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
Wishing you a warm holiday, from all of us at the Staley Museum.
Here's a quick reminder of the museum hours in case you'd like to visit before the end of the year. 🎄
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🎄Two of our Christmas tree winners have picked up their trees! 🎄
Congratulations Autumn Trueblood, winner of the Festive Snowmen tree and Kevin, Abby, and Evelyn Martin, winners of the Woodland Wonderland tree!
We hope you enjoy your new Christmas trees and make many happy memories with them! Merry Christmas!
The winner of the third tree, Golden Christmas Delight, will be picking theirs up at a later date.
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That's a wrap! 🎁 Last night's Holiday Open House was a jolly good time!
We are ever grateful for our volunteers who decorated, baked cookies, shoveled snow, and did so much in preparation for the day. We'd also like to extend our thanks to Chris Atkinson for the fantastic live music and Sharron Thornton for the donation of her beautifully decorated Christmas trees for our raffle. All of you helped make the night so special!
The three Christmas tree winners have all been contacted, and with the help of everyone who purchased a raffle ticket, we are excited to announce that we met our goal for covering the printing costs for our new children's activity book! We're looking forward to sharing Staley and Decatur history with our young visitors next year!
As we move into 2026 we want to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Today's the day!
Join us from 5-8pm for our Holiday Open House! We'll have live music, warm cookies and cider, and special guests Santa and Mrs. Claus! Plus, we have three beautifully decorated Christmas trees which will be given to the winners of our raffle!
See the link below to purchase your tickets before 4:30 or buy them in person at the open house! All proceeds will go towards printing costs for a children's activity book to be provided for free to young visitors!
the-staley-museum.square.site/product/raffle-tickets-christmas-trees/PHYCYFTYNVQPBFSVWGQ7QQUH?cp=...
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