The Staley Museum

Did you know the iconic Staley Journal started as a way to share safety information with employees? The Journal included articles on more serious matters, plus fun cartoons, too!

Take a stroll through the Staley Museum!
Open today, 1:00 to 4:00 PM!
Admission is $5/adult, $3/senior, $1/children

On this International Women's Day, we share with you Emma Staley, wife of A.E. Staley Sr.

Emma was described as being a confidant and sounding board for her family—always offering council in moments of need and encouraging her family to seek a good life. Gene often credited her for his business successes. In fact, Emma was instrumental in keeping Gene at the helm of his business when in 1914 the Decatur plant was forced to close for a period while Staley went out and drummed up more investors. At this point he had considered giving up his business and going back to working for someone else. Emma encouraged him to keep up his efforts and to build the company that bore his name.

In her personal time, Emma enjoyed playing the piano and was a prolific poet. However she was also very private with her work, only showing it to close friends and family. On occasion she allowed her poetry to be published and it can be found in the Staley Journal and a limited book publication gifted to her by her family.

You can learn more about Emma and her personal history by visiting the museum, Tuesday - Saturday, from 1-4 PM.

📸: Young Emma Louise Tressler, Staley Family Archives, Undated

March is Women's History Month and we're looking forward to sharing stories about Staley women (family members and employees), and their contributions to the company and Decatur.

First, let us introduce you to Dorothy Heald, Home Service Director of the Staley Test Kitchen.

In 1946 the company announced the creation of a new home service department and the appointment of Dorothy Heald as its director. Her position was located in a completely modernized test kitchen located in the Staley office building. Dorothy tested recipes devised by the company to suggest improvements, and created new recipes herself while working closely with sales and advertising. She received her bachelor of science degree from Ohio State University where she majored in foods. She was a home economist for a home appliance manufacturer, worked as a hospital dietitian, and during the war managed an industrial cafeteria in Chicago, IL. She was a member of the American Home Economics Association, Association of Home Economics Women in Business, and the American Dietetic Association.

Mark your calendars and join us to celebrate Mr. Staley's birthday!