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
Celebrating 95 Years of Staley Credit Union
What is a credit union and how is it different from a bank?
Credit unions and banks are similar in that they both offer savings and checking accounts, loans, mortgages, credit cards, and more. Like a bank, you can find them all over the country. However, there are a few key differences.
Credit Unions are not-for-profit institutions that emphasize investing in their local community and improving the lives of their members. Sometimes, in order to be a member at a credit union, there are work or living requirements. A person may need to work for a specific company or live in a specific area. In the case of the Staley Credit Union and its beginning, members needed to be Staley employees or an immediate family member of a Staley employee. In later years, the Staley Credit Union opened membership to the community with no work requirement.
Banks are for-profit institutions owned by shareholders who expect to earn dividends. They are typically more numerous than credit unions and a National bank can have branches all over the country making them easy to locate.
Credit unions and banks similarly insure their members’ money. Banks have the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.) while credit unions have the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration). Both options are safe to use.
Whether a person uses a bank or credit union is up to the individual and their financial needs.
Image from the July 1930 Staley Journal
Save the Date for July 19th, 2025
💍A Vintage Wedding Exhibit at the Staley Museum
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Who's at the lake enjoying the boat races?🚤🌊
If you need a break from the weather, visit the museum and learn about A.E. Staley's involvement in the creation of Lake Decatur.
We're open Tuesday - Saturday, 1-4PM
Admission is $5/Adult, $3/Senior, $1/Child
Visit www.StaleyMuseum.com for more information.
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