Hershey Community Archives

10/16/2026

Greetings from Hershey's Chocolate World! Enjoy some postcards from the Archives that visitors could purchase from the attraction throughout the years!

Click here to check out our entire digitized collection of historic postcards: https://tinyurl.com/hcapostcardcollection

10/13/2026

This month’s is going to look a little different! Recently, Archives staff had the opportunity to take a real Hershey architecture tour in Lancaster with architect Gregg Scott, who has done extensive research here at HCA in preparation for his new book, “Urban & The Chocolate King.”

While living in Lancaster, Milton and Catherine Hershey resided in a mansion at 222 South Queen Street. Gregg showed us the location of this two-story Queen Anne—only a short walk from Mr. Hershey’s Lancaster Caramel Company factory. He purchased the home in October 1891 and commissioned Lancaster architect C. Emlen Urban to remodel the residence and create a carriage house in the back of the property. After their marriage in 1898, Catherine moved into the home. Here you will see the historic images juxtaposed to the modern location of that once beautiful mansion.

The public is invited to a FREE event at Hershey Theatre on Thursday, October 22, at 5 p.m. for a discussion with Gregg Scott about his new book, “Urban & The Chocolate King.” The book details the relationship between Milton Hershey and C. Emlen Urban and how their shared vision helped shape Hershey’s iconic architectural landscape.

Visit egganddartbooks.com to pre-order the book. For more information on the October 22 event, click below. Hope to see you there!

https://www.hersheyentertainment.com/hershey-theatre/events/free-presentation-featuring-noted-author-and-architect-gregory-scott/

10/09/2026

Today marks the end of a fun week here in Hershey – the Antique Automobile Club of America Eastern Fall Meet. This month’s is a photograph of attendees checking out the cars at the Antique Auto Show in 1967.

10/03/2026

Your Thanksgiving plans just got a whole lot sweeter. 🎟️
Tickets for HERSHEY are officially on sale now. Grab yours at angel.com/hershey

10/02/2026

Who doesn't love fall? The Hershey Educational and Cultural Center sure did, with this fun image from their 1970 fall program.

The Hershey Educational and Cultural Center was organized in 1966 by The M.S. Hershey Foundation to create educational opportunities for the people of Hershey and the surrounding area. It offered programming in art, pottery, theater, adult education, and much more. Under the umbrella of the Hershey Educational and Cultural Center, the Foundation also assumed operations of the Hershey Theatre in 1970.

How are you celebrating fall? 🍂

10/01/2026

Calling all architecture and history fans! Come check out this free presentation by author and architectural historian Gregory Scott at the Hershey Theatre on October 22nd at 5 p.m.

📖 Join us at Hershey Theatre on Thursday, October 22, at 5 p.m. for a free presentation by author and architectural historian Gregory J. Scott. Celebrate the launch of his new book, "Urban & The Chocolate King," and discover the remarkable partnership between C. Emlen Urban and Milton Hershey - and how their shared vision helped shape Hershey's iconic architectural landscape. The event is free and open to the public.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4AuqmQ4

09/28/2026

Today’s is the Custer Car Ride! Installed in Hershey Park in 1936, the Custer Car Ride was located behind the Park’s first funhouse, near The Bug and Mill Chute. The ride operated until about 1942, when it was removed to make room for the new Comet roller coaster.

Image 1: ca. 1936-1940
Image 2: ca. 1936-1942
Image 3: ca. 1940-1942
Image 4: ca. 1936-1942

09/25/2026

Today we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Dolly Parton. Ms. Parton played in Hershey on at least two occasions. On August 11, 1978, she performed at the Hersheypark Arena. Just two months later she won ‘Entertainer of the Year’ at the Country Music Association Awards! Thirty years later, Ms. Parton returned, charming the audience at Hershey Theatre as part of her ‘Backwoods Barbie’ tour in 2008. In addition to singing her most popular hits, she also played piano, harmonica, electric guitar, banjo, fiddle, jaw harp, and saxophone! Ms. Parton was a true American original, and she will be greatly missed.

Photograph is dated ca. 1975-1985

09/21/2026

Today we are traveling over the tracks for our to the first Trolley Car Barn, which later became Hershey Cafe.

Noted architect C. Emlen Urban designed the car barn in 1905 , which was located adjacent to the Hershey Chocolate Factory building, also designed by Urban. The car barn housed the trolley cars from 1905 until a second car barn was built in 1909 on the southwest corner of Java and Chocolate Avenues. In 1910, the first car barn building was transformed into the Hershey Cafe, which served Hershey Chocolate Company employees for a year until opening to the public in 1911.

09/16/2026

in 1910 the Hershey Press published an article about Mr. Hershey’s surprise birthday celebration – with a twist! The newspaper also featured a piece announcing that Mr. Hershey would soon be traveling to Europe to meet up with Mrs. Hershey.

Read below to travel back 116 years into the past!