The Staley Museum
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.
The Staley Museum is open year round; Tuesday – Saturday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, and on the last Sunday of the month (March – November) from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
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.
The Staley Office Building: Inaugurated in April, 1930
Also known as “The Castle in the Cornfields”
Photo Courtesy of the Hieronymus Mueller Museum
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 Museum on Facebook
Wednesday November 18th
‼️Important Update‼️
Due to the Tier 3 Mitigation Requirements, the museum will close to the public starting this Friday, November 20, 2020 until further notice.  ... See MoreSee Less
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Stay safe.
Saturday October 31st
We wish you all a Safe and Happy Halloween! 🎃
Below are four Staley employees dressed up as the Gloss Starch Ladies for the Decatur Halloween Parade in 1933.
Caption reads: These four maidens in blue and white look as if they had stepped right off the Staley Starch package. Instead, they stepped out of our sales office long enough to dress up and march in the Decatur Halloween parade. Recognize them? From left to right they are Marjorie White, Amelia Fuson, Edna Keck, and Lorene Buehler. Aren’t they stunning? ... See MoreSee Less
Tuesday October 27th
The Staley Museum is located at 361 N. College Street, the historic family home of A. E. Staley, the founder of the great Decatur industrial company.
Did you know that one of many important historic services provided by the museum is providing an online digitized version of the issues of the Staley Journal, the monthly publication of the Staley Fellowship Club?
We are proud that the Staley Museum is one of the original thirteen members of the History of the Heartland Historic Preservation Consortium.
Photo: Staley Museum ... See MoreSee Less
Friday October 9th
Delivery of Staley product to Bristol, England in the early 1920s.
The names of the company and workers receiving the shipment are unknown. ... See MoreSee Less
interesting didnt a UK company buy out Staley after the sold out to the Bears running the franchise lol
Saturday October 3rd
Today we had two amazing visitors at the museum! Chicago Bears’ biggest fan, Don “Bearman” Wachter (left) and his friend Anthony Mash (right) stopped by to learn about the Decatur Staley’s and how they became the Chicago Bears.
Bearman’s business card reads: Don “Bearman” Wachter has been a die-hard Chicago Bears fan since the early 1970s and has been a season ticket holder since 1985. Bearman is a proud charter member of “Pro Football’s Ultimate Fan Association” (PFUFA). In 2019, Bearman was one of 3 NFL fan selected to be inducted into the inaugural class of the “Ford Hall of Fans,” located in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In Soldier Field (Section 146), you can find Bearman defending his territory from other predators by growling and rabidly cheering on “DA BEARS.” Bearman proudly wears the number of his favorite Bear player from the past, the hard-hitting safety, Doug “The Hitman” Plank, #46, who the famed “46” Defense was named after.
Go Bears! ... See MoreSee Less
Wish I would have known he was gone be there. Would love to have meet him. GO BEARS 🐻
Thursday September 3rd
We will be closed this Saturday, September 5th, in observance of Labor day. ... See MoreSee Less
Wednesday August 26th
Happy Birthday to Mrs. Emma Staley!
8/26/1875 - 2/25/1967
Emma was the beloved family matriarch and an expressive and eloquent poet. Her poetry was often inspired by her family, current affairs, and nature. Emma first met Mr. Staley in 1897, after a Chicago performance, where she was the featured pianist. Mr. Staley purchased several roses for her after the performance, and their courtship soon began. Not long after, they married and settled in Baltimore, Maryland. Together they had 5 children: Ione, Ruth, A.E. “Gus” Jr., Mary, and Andrew Rollin.
“One of the charms of many artists is their shy insistence that they need not be too much in the public view. This trait is most pronounced in Mrs. A.E. Staley, whose lovely poetry long ago placed her among the artists, but because she has always shunned any kind of public recognition far too few people have come to know her poems…” Ruth Cade, editor of the Staley Journal. January 1940 issue. ... See MoreSee Less
Such an elegant looking lady
Pretty Lady....
Saturday August 22nd
G. E. Chamberlain
Many refer to George Edwin Chamberlain as the first General Superintendent of the Staley plant. However, that is only true to an extent. C. F. Saenger, Chamberlain’s predecessor, was General Superintendent before him, but left the company before it could open. Within the month of his arrival and employment with the Staley Company, the plant was opened and work began thanks to his efforts.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1870, Chamberlain received his degree in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University. Unable to find work in his chosen field, Chamberlain moved from company to company doing a variety of work and garnering an immense amount of knowledge and experience. By the time he came to Staley’s at the age of 42, Chamberlain was a master at problem solving and design.
Quickly, he became highly respected at Staley’s and was affectionately known as “G.E.” Most of the rest of his life was spent working for the company, except for a brief stint at another plant lasting less than a year.
While working for the Staley Company, Chamberlain designed and built the first soybean process. He also invented the first modern grain dryer. This work would prove invaluable to the company in its pursuits. Outside of company designs, Chamberlain helped found the Staley Fellowship Club which promoted employee unity within the company. He also advocated for the Decatur Lake level being set at 610 feet over a lesser depth, and for expansion of the city’s sewage treatment. He was active in improving the Decatur school systems and involved many professional societies outside of work. Chamberlain was also trusted by A. E. Sr. to travel to Chicago to speak with George Halas about heading the football program at Staley’s. As history tells us, Chamberlain succeeded in bringing Halas to Decatur resulting in the Decatur Staley’s eventually becoming the Chicago Bears football team.
Along with A. E. Sr., Chamberlain was also a high-level Mason. A portrait painted by Robert Root was commissioned posthumously by the Staley Masons to be hung in the Temple Library. Mrs. Chamberlain bequeathed to the temple the books form her husband’s library, which was considered one of the most complete private collections in the city. ... See MoreSee Less
FYI... Mr. & Mrs Chamberlain resided at 1650 East William Street according to many citations in the H-R archives. Interesting personal story... Chamberlain was on-call 24/7 with his duties. So he had his garage adapted to receive household heat for his car (Ford Model T) so it would always start easily on those cold winter nights. 👍👍
G.E. is my great-great grandfather. Thank you for sharing the story.
Good piece of history & picture. Love more & more! Thank you....
Deanna he was also my wife Joy's great grandfather as Joy's mom is your grandmother. Lots of love from Joy & Ron
Friday August 21st
Portrait of A. E. Staley Jr. (1958)
Label reads:
A. E. Staley He’s portrait was painted by Elmer Wesley Greene (1907-1964). Greene was a well known portraitist, and is best known for painting the current official presidential portrait of Herbert Hoover (painted in 1956).
Original on display at Tate & Lyle.
Reproduction by Rutherford Photo & Video. ... See MoreSee Less
Thursday August 20th
Great photos from Decatur Historic District! Thanks for sharing! ... See MoreSee Less