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
Last night we were pleased to host NPR Illinois at the Staley Museum!
In celebration of 50 years on the air, NPR Illinois brought the Community Voices program to Macon County for a live recording with Staley Museum Director Laura Jahr and Decatur Area Arts Council Executive Director Jami Fawley. The recording was co-hosted by Randy Eccles, Bea Bonner, and Vanessa Ferguson. Laura and Jami’s interview with Community Voices will be aired in the coming days, so keep an ear out if you’d like to listen in!
The Community Voices program features events and interviews with neighbors, artists, and area business people in Illinois. To learn more visit nprillinois.org.
Lastly, we’d like to say a special thanks to Kate McKenzie, Director of Development, Nelson’s Catering, all of the station staff who attended, and of course all of the wonderful guests who joined us.
Staley Journal, April 1925
🪻A Song for April🪻
When April winds are calling
And April rains are falling,
It's then I feel the urging
To make an April song.
A song, a song for April!
Who'll make a song for April?
The month most dear in all the year--
When days are growing long.
When willow buds are swelling,
And every bird is telling
The glad, ecstatic tidings
That spring is here again;
When trees fling out their pennants
To welcome feathered tenants
And meadows blaze with diamond rays
When sunbeams kiss the rain.
I'll make a song for April! Of violet and
daffodil
Dancing in the woodland way
Beneath the willow tree.
My heart goes out to April--silver and gold-
clad April--
Whose smile appears through falling tears
And lights the world for me!
Edith D. Osbourne.
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Way Back Wednesday!
This photograph features some of the original lights on the Staley Office Building. The lights were installed in 1930. They were officially turned on the night of August 21, 1930.
You can see 2 of the original floodlights on display at the Staley Museum.
Open Tuesday - Saturday, 1-4PM.
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This is the last week to view our temporary exhibit on Women and World War II! Come check it out Tuesday - Saturday, 1-4PM!
Cora Jane Wasson (center) worked in the Staley Mfg. Packing House. She joined the W.A.V.E.S. (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service) while working and going to Millikin University.
Wasson was the only Staley Woman to serve overseas from the company. She was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during 1945 as a yeoman, third class. After her discharge in 1946, she returned to Staley as a shop clerk. Later that year Wasson went on "educational leave" to pursue completing her education under the G.I. Bill.
Wasson retired from Staley in 1983 as Master Files Coordinator.
Photograph from the Herald and Review, Saturday, June 30, 1945, Page 3.
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Colorized photograph of the Staley Pump House. Visible on the roof is the framework for the awning used for rooftop events. If you look closely, you will notice a few individuals on the dock at the back of the building.
You can see a model of the Pump House, complete with the awning, at the museum.
Original photograph taken by Seitz Studio, 1922.
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