The Staley Museum

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

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

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

Saturday August 15th

A.E. Staley Sr. and his portrait by Tino Costa

Tina Costa was born in Russia in 1891, and he spent the majority of his youth in France before immigrating to America in 1929. Costa was often referred to as “the painter of kings and presidents,” and was considered to be one of the best portrait artist of his time. Costa painted portraits of President Hoover, King Christian of Denmark, the Prince of Wales (future king Edward VIII), and notable celebrities - including Shirley Temple. Tina Costa passed away in Los Angeles on September 4, 1947. 

When Costa was commissioned to do a portrait of Mr. Staley for the administration building, he planned to do a classic standing figure with a hands behind the back pose. In an interview about Mr. Staley‘s portrait with the Decatur Herald (October 27, 1940), Costa explained that he changed his mind after walking into the founders office. “One day I walked into Mr. Staley’s office and saw him sitting at his desk, with his hands laced together over a stomach, as he chatted easily with those that came in. I knew then that no other pose would do.”

He goes on to describe Mr. Staley’s character as: “Mr. Staley is one successful man in a thousand who has the ability to be simple and natural with everyone he meets.” He tried to capture this quality in the portrait.

“The history of a man’s life is written into this portrait.“ Costa says “Large square hands indicate strength and determination. The turn of the nostrils show a sensitive man in the mouth is the mouth of one who loves to live as big enough to be himself.“ 

Mr. Staley’s portrait still hangs in the lobby of the administrative building today. A reproduction is on display at the museum for visitors.  ... See MoreSee Less

Thursday August 13th

From our archives...

A small packet of buttons received for free with the purchase of 1 bottle of Staley Sta-Flo Liquid Laundry Starch, never opened!

Artifact date unknown.

Donated by Roger Jackson. ... See MoreSee Less

Saturday August 1st

Today we received an exciting donation in the mail!

Fourteen cans of Staley’s Baking Powder and the original packing crate all manufactured in Baltimore, Maryland!

The donor’s father, grandfather, and they believe even their great-grandfather all worked at the Staley company in Baltimore, the original location of the A.E. Staley Manufacturing Company.

We are always grateful for the donations we get and the trust that is placed in us to preserve our local history. ... See MoreSee Less