Hershey Community Archives

08/28/2026

Our features Professor William Schmehl lecturing Hershey Junior College students in November 1956.

Established in 1938, Hershey Junior College offered two years of tuition-free higher education to all Derry Township residents and employees of the Hershey Entities. The M.S. Hershey Foundation funded the program and Derry Township School District administered it. Operating out of 13 classrooms in the Community Building, courses of study offered included general academic, business, and industrial studies.

With both day and evening classes available, 1,271 students graduated from Hershey Junior College in the 27 years it was open. The college closed in 1965 and was folded into Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC).

Happy learning to all the students back at school this week!

08/24/2026

It’s time… so today’s stop on the Hershey Architecture tour is the Derry Church one-room schoolhouse, located down the hill from High Point Mansion, Milton and Catherine Hershey’s home.

Public education began in Derry Township with the Pennsylvania Free School Act of 1834. The Township’s first school was the Derry Church one-room schoolhouse, built in 1844. This school was one of seven one-room schoolhouses that Milton Hershey attended before age 14, when he started his first apprenticeship.

In 1914, Derry Church was consolidated, along with 13 other schools, into the M.S. Hershey Consolidated School on Granada Avenue. The schoolhouse then served as the Hershey Country Club caddy house until it was restored as a schoolhouse in 1961.

08/20/2026

Did you know that Milton Hershey broke ground for his chocolate factory and town before he even had a recipe for his milk chocolate?

Mr. Hershey began experimenting with a recipe for his milk chocolate after obtaining his first few pieces of chocolate making equipment, which he purchased at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He had the equipment installed in the Lancaster Caramel Company factory and immediately got to work on his recipe. Although Milton Hershey was not the first to make milk chocolate, he was the first to make it with fresh milk using mass production technology, which proved to be a challenge.

Milton spent years experimenting. Having no knowledge of chemistry, he relied on trial and error. After selling the Lancaster Caramel Company in 1900, he set up a new space for his experiments: an experimental milk condensing plant, located at his birthplace, the Homestead. It is said Mr. Hershey was so dedicated to his work in the experimental plant that he would often work day and night, not even emerging for meals.

Learn more about Milton Hershey’s quest to find the perfect milk chocolate recipe on our website: https://hersheyarchives.org/encyclopedia/origins-of-hersheys-milk-chocolate/

Image features Henry Hershey standing in front of the Experimental milk plant at the Homestead ca. 1901-1904.

08/17/2026

We are starting a new series here at HCA, where we take a snapshot of life in Hershey through our historic newspapers in the past!

Any Pittsburgh Steelers fans out there? The August 17, 1946 edition of Hotel Hershey Highlights announced an upcoming Pittsburgh Steelers exhibition game at Hershey Stadium. Other articles include announcements about performances at Hershey Park Ballroom, the Tenth Annual Baby Parade, and a committee to welcome home servicemen returning from WWII.

Take a look and relive life in Hershey 80 years ago!

08/13/2026

Today’s Hersheypark Attraction is The Whip!

The Whip, originally called the Whipperoo, was installed in Hershey Park in 1937, becoming the 20th ride at Hersheypark. Originally an open-air ride, a roof was added in 1938. Whipperoo was located in the Hollow area and remained there until the 1972 season, when it was relocated to the Hill. The roof didn’t accompany the move, so the ride was uncovered during its final three seasons, like it had been when it was first installed. It was also around this time that the name was shortened to “The Whip” – often just being called “Whip” on park maps. The Whip was retired after the 1975 season. However, when Midway America expanded in 1997, a new version of the ride was added to Hersheypark

Thanks to The Amusement Parkives for some of the information in today’s post!

Image is of the Whipperoo, ca. 1937- 1957

08/10/2026

Happy National S’mores day! There is no better summer treat than a toasted marshmallow, crunchy graham cracker, and six pips of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate.

If you’re not near a campfire, don’t worry… you can make one of these Hershey’s Kitchens recipes from 1986, including one for making s’mores using a new, “high-tech” method – the microwave!

08/07/2026

08/06/2026

Oh hey! Come check out our newest acquisition!

08/04/2026

There is nothing more quintessentially American than baseball, and baseball has a long history in Hershey!

The town had more than one team. Soon after the Hershey Chocolate Factory opened in 1905, John Snavely (a relative of Mr. Hershey’s) established the first baseball team. Later, in 1910, the Hershey Y.M.C.A established a team as well. There was also an “Industrial League,” which consisted of teams from different departments in the chocolate factory that faced off against teams from the Hershey Improvement Company.

The games, played at the Hershey Park Athletic Field, were well attended. In addition to intramural games, spectators watched Hershey compete against teams from Elizabethtown, Lebanon, Harrisburg, and their biggest rivals, Palmyra. The Hershey Press frequently covered the games, including league standings, batting and fielding averages, as well as game highlights.

Learn more about baseball in Hershey on our website: https://hersheyarchives.org/encyclopedia/batter-up-baseball-and-hershey/

07/30/2026

Today’s is a wonderful image of the Hersheypark characters from 1980! The first candy-themed characters introduced were the Milk Chocolate bar, Miss Kiss, a two-headed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and a Krackel bar. Today, that list has expanded to also include Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, Reese's Nutrageous, and many more!

Who is your favorite Hersheypark product character?