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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.

Staley Topics

Reserve the Museum

Reserve the Museum

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

Staley office building

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

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Celebrating 95 Years of Staley Credit Union

R.A. “Doc” West, President of the Staley Credit Union.
West also served four terms as president of the National Credit Union Organization.

Hugo Brix, manager of the credit union.

Margie Hauk and Audrey Winchester worked as clerks in the credit union. They covered important duties and services during the war years while the credit union manager served with the Army.

-From the Staley Journal, November 1947
... See MoreSee Less

July 15th, 10:00 am
Celebrating 95 Years of Staley Credit Union

R.A. “Doc” West, President of the Staley Credit Union. 
West also served four terms as president of the National Credit Union Organization. 

Hugo Brix, manager of the credit union. 

Margie Hauk and Audrey Winchester worked as clerks in the credit union. They covered important duties and services during the war years while the credit union manager served with the Army. 

-From the Staley Journal, November 1947Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

Silk and satin and lace, OH MY!

This week is your last chance to purchase tickets for $20/person to the VIP First Look on July 19th, 2025 from 1-5PM!

💍Vintage wedding gown displays
💐A limited boutique of dresses for purchase
💒Replica clothing from Theatre 7
🎊Sweet treats
💘 ...and FUN!

Tickets will be available at the door on July 19th for $30/person.
All proceeds benefit the Staley Museum.
... See MoreSee Less

July 14th, 10:00 am
Silk and satin and lace, OH MY!

This week is your last chance to purchase tickets for $20/person to the VIP First Look on July 19th, 2025 from 1-5PM! 

💍Vintage wedding gown displays
💐A limited boutique of dresses for purchase
💒Replica clothing from Theatre 7
🎊Sweet treats
💘 ...and FUN!

Tickets will be available at the door on July 19th for $30/person. 
All proceeds benefit the Staley Museum.

You know about the Staley football team, but did you know the company also supported a Staley baseball team?

Discover Staley sports by visiting the museum!

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 1-4PM.
Admission is $5/Adult, $3/Senior, $1/Child.

📸: July 1940, Staley Journal, Page 21 - Staley Museum Archives

"The Staley baseball team, of which Chet Boyles is manager, had its picture taken recently. in the front row are Dick Hopkins, Don Hall, Bill Artze, Chet Boyles, Larry Withrow, Carl Grant and Pete Kelly. Standing are Irv Smith, Max Craig, A. Hopkins, Emil Martina, Doolin, Griffin, Norm Schultz and Joe Hilberling. The mascot is Chet Boyle's son."
... See MoreSee Less

July 12th, 7:00 pm
You know about the Staley football team, but did you know the company also supported a Staley baseball team? 

Discover Staley sports by visiting the museum!

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 1-4PM. 
Admission is $5/Adult, $3/Senior, $1/Child. 

📸: July 1940, Staley Journal, Page 21 - Staley Museum Archives

The Staley baseball team, of which Chet Boyles is manager, had its picture taken recently. in the front row are Dick Hopkins, Don Hall, Bill Artze, Chet Boyles, Larry Withrow, Carl Grant and Pete Kelly. Standing are Irv Smith, Max Craig, A. Hopkins, Emil Martina, Doolin, Griffin, Norm Schultz and Joe Hilberling. The mascot is Chet Boyles son.

Art of the Staley Journal, July 1940

⚾ The cover of the July 1940 issue of the Journal features a cartoon drawing of a baseball player catching an incoming ball overtop a newspaper featuring sports news. The contents of the issue heavily covers Staley baseball, as well as plant safety, home purchasing, airplane transportation, and more.
... See MoreSee Less

July 10th, 7:00 pm
Art of the Staley Journal, July 1940

⚾ The cover of the July 1940 issue of the Journal features a cartoon drawing of a baseball player catching an incoming ball overtop a newspaper featuring sports news. The contents of the issue heavily covers Staley baseball, as well as plant safety, home purchasing, airplane transportation, and more.
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