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: $3
17 & 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
How Exciting!
Our first time participating in the Decatur Christmas Parade!
We want to thank all of our Volunteers for all their hard work!
Shout out to Jane McCollom for the Staley Express concept & Design
To the builders: Jane McCollom, Amy Scranton, Mary Ann Montgomery, Debbie Niles, Donna Van Natta, Tim McCollom, Randy Niles and Mark Scranton, and Volunteer Larry Adams and his friend Ronald for their help with candy distribution.
A Special Thanks to Mark & Amy Scranton for offering the use of their truck and trailer. And to Ryan for driving.
Also our Thanks to Nick Burge who portrayed
Mr. A.E.Staley Sr. And to Norm Scranton our Staley Express Conductor.
Our gratitude to Van Dyke Appliance for donations of materials used in the building of the Staley Express.
Our Volunteer Corps is our greatest asset & blessing.
Happy Holidays to all! 🎄🎄🎄🥰
Busy, busy, busy!
What fun we had staging our float for the parade!
This was so much fun! 😊😊😊
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We'll be in the annual Downtown Decatur Lighted Christmas Parade happening today at 4PM! We hope to see you there...can you guess what our float is going to look like?
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100 Years Ago...December 1924, The Staley Journal
The included poem was written by Cyril M. Cobb, who was hired into the Staley company as assistant purchasing agent and was store keeper for a short time before eventually becoming the purchasing agent after Henry Stadler's retirement.
Cobb brought a creative touch to the Staley Journal through his poetry. For the majority of his 25 years at Staley (1919-1944), Cobb produced several poems each year for the Journal to publish.
Cyril Cobb's "December"
Over the oaks the storm clouds fly,
And the biting wind blows strong and chill;
Deep is the snow and waters lie,
Fast encased in their ice-shroud still.
But deep in the oak is a valiant heart,
That fears neither storm nor bitter cold;
For the wind may come and the wind may go,
But steadfast and sure the oak will hold.
And down 'neath the snow there are sound
asleep,
Flowers and herbs and grasses fair;
Dreaming perchance of trysts to keep,
With a fairy prince in the Springtime there.
And you may be sure that the water sprites,
Are snug and warm in their winter dress;
On even the coldest of winter nights,
In their robes of wild-fern and water-cress.
So Ho! for the frosty, biting days,
And Ho! for the wind so bold--
For skating days and jingling sleighs!
We'll laugh at December's cold!
To learn more about Cyril Cobb and other contributors to the Staley Journal, visit the museum to see our exhibit on the company publication that spanned decades.
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Check out these items and more at our annual Holiday Open House coming up December 18th, from 5-8pm. Just in time for Christmas!
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Sweet!!!
Is Field of Gold out on DVD yet? And if so where can I buy one and what is the selling for?
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This float was awesome. One of my favorites!
I love this ❤️ Merry Christmas
Wow! Looks great!