Hershey History Center

Join an in-person information session with Vive Mas Tours: Unique Cultural Experiences representatives, Jenny and Roger, at the Hershey History Center on Saturday, July 13. At 6:00pm, there’ll be a talk about a 9-day tour of 🇨🇴Colombia, February 1-9, 2025. Followed at 6:30pm by a session on a trip to 🇨🇺Cuba, April 1-10, 2025.

Please RSVP to attend the Colombia session (only) at the link (in the bio).

ℹ️More information can be found on our website at hersheyhistory.org

Relax on the Hershey History Center’s patio to the smooth jazz sounds 🎤🎸🎹🎵of the Amanda Sachs Group at Jazz at the Barnyard on Friday, July 5 from 7-10pm. Bring your lawn chairs and BYOB for the second concert in our summer series of LIVE jazz under the stars. 🚚🍕🌯🍔Food trucks will be at this event. Grab a tasty bite from Catering By haj paj catering, LLC, specializing in Asian and American cuisine, and from Hidden Still Spirits. Jazz at the Barnyard is free and open to everyone.

Stop in to shop at one of Hershey’s hidden gems, Stay Apparel Co., a store on the grounds of the Hershey History Center. 👕🧢🏑Stay Apparel sells Lancaster printed T-shirts, hats, Hockey Night in Hershey, pennants, candles, cushions, and gifts featuring a variety of custom designs from Pennsylvania’s past and present, highlighting local cities…and much more. All American-made products at very reasonable prices.

Starting on Sunday, July 21 from 11am to 4pm, and then on the third Sunday of the month from 11am to 4pm, February through November, hosts Makers Market. There’ll be approximately 25 makers, Perry Pizza Co., offering wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, and Shy Bear Brewing. Admission and parking are free.
Showcasing the beautiful history center property while presenting products from dozens of talented makers and fostering a sense of community. Looking for cool stuff? Stay Apparel is one of Hershey’s best finds you don’t want to miss. They are open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

Many thanks to the amazing folks from for bringing a 🐍snake, 🐢a turtle, and a 🦡ferret to our children’s summer program, Mr. Hershey’s Zoo. Our gratitude to Lori Mitchel, the wonderful program presenter who made the event such fun. Stories and interactive crafts were enjoyed by all. Stay tuned for news of more programs for kids.

Saturday, July 13 from 10am to 4pm, come to Hershey History Center's 4th annual Trains at the Track. 40 Northeast Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.

Multiple and unique 🚂🚃🚉model train layouts from Capital PenNScalers NTRAKand the Lower Susquehanna Valley Modular Railroaders. This is a family fun event of interactive model trains, food trucks, entertainment, and kids' activities. Relax on our patio and watch the trains roll by! Enjoy live folk music provided by Craig Zumbren and Deb Bunnell at 11am and 1pm. Deb and Craig will be performing with a Hammered Dulcimer, 6 and 12 string guitars, and a Bodhran (Irish frame drum).

​ADMISSION
$5.00 Adults
$3.00 Children (aged 4-12)
Children aged 3 + younger are free
$15.00 Family

Our congrats🥳🎉👏 to the amazing 🥅🏑for winning their 13th Calder Cup last night against the Coachella Valley Firebirds at the Hershey Giant Center! The roar lives on!!

Did you know? Bears have played in the American Hockey League since the 1938–39 season, making it the longest continuously operating member club of the league still playing in its original city.

Cocoa has always been part of your life, but have you every thought about picking the bean pods off trees?
Join us in Hershey on July 13th at 6 pm to learn how you can experience cocoa groves and Arabica coffee in the heart of the mountains of Colombia with us!
Where: Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr, Hershey, PA
When: July 13 at 6 pm
RSVP: https://forms.gle/3evNorySgKYVRqLb9

Take a trip down memory lane to HOLLINGER’S GARAGE. ⛽️This station was originally one of the Hershey Estates Gas Stations and Mr. Emory Hollinger was the first manager of this one - at some point it is believed that Hershey sold it. Emory Hollinger inside the station in 1955. Front of the service station with cars being serviced at the pumps by attendants in 1955 and Emory Hollinger in Gulf uniform in 1956. Gulf station and gas pumps. Later, Emory Hollinger in Fire Company Police.

Giving a shout out to our neighbor, Hershey E - Tours, operating out of the Trolley Stop building at the Hershey History Center. Book your e-bike rental tour of Hershey on their website at https://hersheyetours.carrd.co/. Explore the area in a unique way on one of their great Tenways e-bikes. 🚴🏾‍♂️ Must be 18+.

Attention coffee lovers, look what’s brewing at the Hershey History Center. Join us for a 3 hour immersive experience in which you will be smelling and tasting coffees from around the world! Saturday, June 22 from 9am to noon with coffee aficionado, Vincent Caloiero.

Register online at https://tinyurl.com/3afw4ffy to secure a seat. You’ll discover where coffee plants are grown and the varieties of coffee plants that are most common. And, learn:
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☕️How coffee is harvested and processed.
☕️How coffee is stored and shipped.
☕️How coffee is roasted and packaged.
☕️How coffee is brewed and tasted.

for PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH DAYS—an event held in Hershey Park between 1949 and 1979. This week long event was introduced by a group of local citizens that were taking Pennsylvania Dutch dialect classes at the Hershey Night School. Pennsylvania Dutch Days started with a few days but soon grew to a week long event.

Dutch Days ladies filling jars with apple butter are Elaine Huber Long and Barbara Eby Bowser - Pa Dutch Days 1957.
Horse-drawn vehicle with Elaine Huber Long, standing and Barbara Eby Bowser, driving, 1957.
Barbara Eby Bowser in costume, 1957.
Betty Stiller Helmer and Barbara Eby Bowser at the Information Center located in the southwest corner of the Women’s Club on Chocolate Avenue, Hershey in 1957.

Check out the Hershey History Center’s online photo archive for more like these at:

https://hersheyhistory.pastperfectonline.com

We express gratitude for the bravery of the fallen American soldiers. 🇺🇸 Wishing everyone a Memorial Day filled with reflection and appreciation for our heroes.

Mr. Hershey’s Zoo is a program for children.
Two 4-day sessions starting on Monday, June 10 and Monday, June 17. 10:00am - 11:30am.
🐒🐻🦁🐍🦌
The ZooAmerica we know today had its beginnings 119 years ago, when it was called the Hershey Zoo. In 1905, Franz Zinner, the original zookeeper of Hershey Zoo, gave Milton S. Hershey 12 prairie dogs that would form the foundation of the future zoo. A few years later, bears, birds, deer, and exotic animals such as lions, leopards, monkeys, and exotic birds were added.
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The Hershey History Center celebrates that long history this summer with a hands-on children’s program presented by Lori Mitchell. Meet some of the featured animals in the program on our website. https://www.hersheyhistory.org/mr-hersheys-zoo
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The program:
Recommended for children ages 4-7. Join in fun and interactive crafts. (Materials provided.) Listen to stories to learn about the zoo created by Mr. Hershey. Program fee: $30 per child. (Member discount: $25.)

Please register at the link: https://tinyurl.com/ve45bzck

Jazz at the Barnyard returns for another summer season of LIVE jazz. Bring your lawn chairs and BYOB. The events are free and open to everyone.

Four unique performances presenting a variety of jazz styles on the first Friday of the month from June to September. 🎺🎷🥁🎸

Friday, June 7 Quiet Soul Trio
Friday, July 5 Amanda Sachs Group
Friday, Aug. 2 The Wave Quartet
Friday, Sept. 6 Little Brother Band
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All concerts are from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

Please note: All Jazz at the Barnyard events are held rain or shine. Bands may be temporarily relocated inside due to unique weather conditions, though there is limited indoor space for patrons.

: take a trip down memory lane. The Hersheypark we know today has a long history that began 118 years ago. Hershey Park, as it was then called, formerly opened to the public along the banks of Spring Creek, on Memorial Day, May 30, 1906. 🇺🇸

Hershey Park was a park created by Milton S. Hershey as a place for the workers to recreate and relax. It included a pavilion and a bandstand. As well as boating 🛶and 🧺picnicking, on Memorial Day 30, 1906, there was also a series of events that included baseball games. Pictured here is a Memorial Day parade in 1918, with cars, flags, children, and soldiers on Chocolate Avenue - the Hershey Press building, the Bank, and the Men's Club can be seen on these photos.

This early photo shows a ⛲️drinking fountain feature at the main entrance area of Hershey Park. The large building in the background is the Hershey Park Conservatory, which was part of the Hershey Park Zoo.🦁

The first merry-ground 🎠opened on Independence Day, July 4, 1908, which was followed by the miniature railroad in 1910. The first roller coaster 🎢was The Wild Cat, which opened in 1923, originally named The Joy Ride.

The program presented by former MHS president Johnny O’Brien on Thursday, May 16 was followed by an open house of our Hershey Estates exhibit. Our honored guest that evening was Bruce McKinney, a former CEO of Hershey Estates during its transition to Hershey Entertainment and Resorts.

Many thanks to Johnny O’Brien who presented an online program last night. His book "Semisweet: An Orphan’s Journey Through the School the Hersheys Built" is available for purchase at the gift shop. HHC members receive 10% discount on all items.

The Labor Movement in Hershey: The 1937 Strike and the Italian Community Influence.

Come to a free in-person program presented by Louis Paioletti on Thursday, May 30 | 6-7pm.

This year marks the 87th anniversary of one of the most significant events in Derry Township history, an event which made national headlines. Learn about what happened on April 2, 1937, when workers at the Hershey Chocolate Corporation, many who were Italian immigrants and who had recently formed a union, went on strike as a result of, among other factors, very low wages and poor and hostile working conditions.

Please RSVP to [email protected] to ensure a place as seating is limited.

Specialty handmade cushions were an Artfest favorite. We have them at the Hershey History Center, so please stop by to shop for a variety of designs. Our hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 10am to 3pm.

Thursday, May 16th! 6:00 PM at the Hershey History Center.

Johnny O'Brien - Featured Author Program.

Milton Hershey School, Class of 1961
President, 2003-2009
Princeton University, Class of 1965
Trustee Emeritus 2006-2010

Registration is requested!! Space is limited! Please email us at [email protected] if you plan to attend. Please put “Johnny O’Brien” program in the subject field. Hope to see you there.

Hershey Artfest is over for this year.
🙏🏻Many thanks to the The Englewood, and to the amazing art vendors and musicians for sharing their creativity and talent.

🙏🏻Thank you to the community who came out to support this wonderful event! We hope you a ton of fun, painted on the mural, enjoyed awesome food, and found some great purchases.

💖Last but not least, our sincere gratitude to the small army of volunteers who helped to run Hershey Artfest. We could not do it without you!

See you at Hershey Artfest 2025. Registration for vendors begins in early February. Information will be posted on the Hershey History Center website.

Hershey Artfest is over for this year.
🙏🏻Many thanks to the The Englewood, and to the amazing art vendors and musicians for sharing their creativity and talent.

🙏🏻Thank you to the community who came out to support this wonderful event! We hope you had a ton of fun, painted on the mural, enjoyed awesome food, and found some great purchases.

💖Last but not least, our sincere gratitude to the small army of volunteers who helped to run Hershey Artfest. We could not do it without you!

See you at Hershey Artfest 2025. Registration for vendors begins in early February. Information will be posted on the Hershey History Center website.

Come on down to the Hershey Artfest. Ends 4pm. Get here soon to enjoy music, food, arts, and crafts for all!

Live music at Hershey Artfest on Saturday, May 11. The Englewood Barn. 1219 W. End Ave, Hershey, PA 17036. 🎹🎸🎤🛢️

Shelba Purtle will play hand pans at various times during the event tomorrow. Other musicians, who will play Pop, Rock, R&B, and Jazz music, are Roy LeFever Duo, from 10am to 12:30pm, and Quiet Soul Duo, from 1pm to 3:30pm.

Bring the family to Hershey Artfest for a spectacular day out! Perfect opportunity to buy Mother’s Day gifts.🎁

🌼🌸🌻10,000 Flowers Project comes to Hershey Artfest. The goal in a nutshell is to create! Be part of this traveling community mural project at Englewood Roasting Company. It is really awesome!! The concept is one enormous flower mural spread over hundreds of towns across America! 🇺🇸

How does the project work? A huge “wall” allows anybody walking by to help color in the mural, which is completed by the end of the day. It is then packed up, and taken away for the next community painting. That’s right, it’s only for that day and for present participation for community members to help out. At Hershey Artfest, you too can be an 🎨artist!

79 years ago today, Major Dick Winters and his 2nd Battalion solders were waking up in Bertchesgarden, Germany where they celebrated the end of WWIi for them, May 8, 1945, VE Day. Victory in Europe. Learn more about Maj. Winters and the Band of Brothers by visiting his office at the .

FOOD VENDORS
Enjoy delicious hand-held snacks and beverages from a variety of food vendors at Hershey Artfest! Freshly made, 🥙🌯🍟🍤🍕savory ethnic foods, artisanal specialties, and irresistible sweet treats!🧁🍦🍩🍪

Aunt Bickers Fish Fry – fried fish sandwiches, shrimp po boy

Just Juice PA – 100% cold pressed fruit & vegetable juices

Hellenic Kouzina Greek Café – authentic Greek food

Pepperpot – jerk chicken, wings, curry, stew, rice & peas

Got Chocolate Inc. – organic cookies

Cosmic Kettle Corn – freshly popped kettle corn, water

Revival Coffee Catering – espresso drinks, smoothies, milkshakes

Mona’s Bakery, LLC – French macarons, cupcakes, breads

Philly Cheesesteak Co. On the Roll - cheesesteak & fries

E-San Food and Drinks – grilled chicken on a stick, pad Thai

Shotz of Love – water ice, smoothies

Rola’s Lebanese Food – falafel, baklava, (vegan, gluten free)

717 Tacos LLC – tacos, nachos, soft drinks, water

Pronio’s Market – pasta, homemade Italian specialty items