Hershey Community Archives

06/10/2026

Our for today was inspired by the event taking place this weekend June 13th- 14th at this 1902 J. M. Lehman catalogue features pieces of German chocolate making equipment that Mr. Hershey purchased at the 1893 Worlds Fair. Be sure to visit The Hershey Story Museum this weekend to learn more about this equipment and so much more!

06/08/2026

We can't wait to travel back to 1893 at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue this weekend!

Step back to 1893 next weekend! Stilt performers, period music, fair-inspired treats, and hands-on activities await at "A Sweet Beginning: Milton Hershey at the 1893 World's Fair" on June 13-14 at The Hershey Story Museum. You'll also meet these four colorful fairgoers, and explore World's Fair artifacts and early chocolate-making machinery. In the "Hall of Arts and Sciences," guests can create a Ferris wheel-inspired craft, listen to a phonograph and build their own popsicle stick structure! Would you like to try a sample? Try a fair-inspired treat, including Palmer House brownies and chocolate-dipped caramel popcorn balls!

06/04/2026

On June 13 and 14, travel back in time at The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue with their event, “A Sweet Beginning: Milton Hershey at the 1893 World’s Fair!”

While the 1893 World’s Fair greatly influenced Milton Hershey, it was not his first…

When Mr. Hershey set out on his first business venture in 1876, he set up shop in Philadelphia. This was very fortuitous timing – the first U.S. World’s Fair was taking place in Philadelphia that very same year!

He established a location at No. 935 Spring Garden Street, which was located near a route that many travelers used to get to the exposition . . He even went so far as adding an image of Machinery Hall to his business cards at the time! Unfortunately, this business venture was not successful, and he went bankrupt in 1882.

If you want more information about the event take a look at the Museums website: https://hersheystory.org/hershey-story-event/a-sweet-beginning-milton-hershey-at-the-1893-worlds-fair/2026-06-13/

06/02/2026

In 1969, The Hershey Company (then Hershey Foods Corporation) signed an agreement with Rowntree Mackintosh Ltd. of York, England, to market and manufacture Kit Kat and Rolo products in the United States. In 1973, Kit Kat production began in the expanded Reese’s factory. Since then, Kit Kat has come in numerous varieties and limited-edition flavors here in the U.S.

Check out this storyboard for a classic Kit Kat commercial from 1975. What is your favorite Kit Kat flavor?

06/01/2026

Meet your hosts for "A Sweet Beginning" Milton Hershey at the 1893 World's Fair," happening June 13-14 at The Hershey Story! These colorful characters will transport you back in time and bring the excitement of the 1893 World's Fair to life! They'll share stories from the era, introduce you to the sights and innovations of the fair, and guide guests through all the weekend's fun activities.

From left to right:
- Maeve "Mother Rabbit" Sterling - socialite and woman about town
- Detective Patrick Kelly of the Chicago Police Department
- Mrs. Victoria Bradley, a respectable middle-class woman originally from Oxford, England
- Mateo "Teo" Vega - production assistant, musical arranger, choreographer and trusted "fixer" for Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. at Chicago's Trocadero Theater

Come meet them in person and discover how the World's Fair helped shape Milton Hershey's future! They can't wait to welcome you to 1893!

05/28/2026

Today’s is a beautiful spring view of Chocolate Avenue featuring a Hershey’s Kiss flower sculpture from 1995.

05/25/2026

Today we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country.

This poster from ca. 1946 honors 26 Hershey Chocolate Corporation employees who lost their lives in WWII. They are just a portion of the people our community lost in that conflict. Over 1,000 Milton Hershey School Alumni served in the war by its end and 39 of those 1,000 lost their lives.

We are incredibly grateful for their sacrifices, and those of all who have served throughout our history.

05/22/2026

Another community collection within our walls is the Hershey Optimist Club!

The Hershey Optimist Club was founded in 1954 and was sponsored by the Lebanon Optimist Club. The initial organizational dinner was attended by 13 prospective members and by the time of the charter closing the club had 40 members amongst their ranks. The club focused its efforts towards helping and supporting youth in the community. Over the years they sponsored youth athletic teams and youth programs supporting safety, education, respect for the law, and civic duty. Some of these programs included: Bike Safety Week, Oratorical Contest, and Youth Appreciation Week.

As the years went on, membership declined and the Optimist Club was disbanded in 2007. But at HCA we strive to keep the records of this Hershey Club safe for future generations to come!

05/20/2026

Today’s is an address book we believe was owned by Catherine “Kitty” Hershey from the early 1900s.

05/14/2026

If you are around June 13 and 14 swing by the The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue for "A Sweet Beginning: Milton Hershey at the 1893 World's Fair"!

Join us on June 13 and 14 for "A Sweet Beginning: Milton Hershey at the 1893 World's Fair"!

At the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, Milton Hershey discovered European chocolate-making machinery that inspired him to shift from caramel to chocolate--laying the foundation for one of America's most iconic brands: Hershey's. Join us as we celebrate that pivotal moment in both Hershey and American history.

Here are just a few things guests can enjoy at "A Sweet Beginning: Milton Hershey at the 1893 World's Fair":

Outside at "The Midway" - stilt performers, period music, and ice cream for purchase from Sarah’s Creamery.

In the Grand Lobby - actors in period costumes and models of early chocolate making machinery.

In the Musuem Experience - items relating to Milton’s connections to the fair. Also, write to a friend using replica bar cards, and learn how to wrap a Hershey Kiss by hand!

In “The Hall of Arts and Sciences” - learn more about electricity, inventions, and architecture at the fair through hands-on activities. Listen to a phonograph, build your own Ferris wheel--and more!

In the Chocolate Lab - walk in and enjoy classic treats both tied to the fair and inspired by it, such as Palmer House Hotel brownies, caramel popcorn balls dipped in chocolate, and an orange cider drink.

Included in Museum Experience admission. Includes special walk-up experiences in the Chocolate Lab.