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Witness our unique heritage come to life at the Hershey History Center. Explore exhibits chronicling the community built on chocolate, the military heroes that became world renowned, and the legendary hockey franchise that calls our town home.
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Step back in time as you learn how our community's past has shaped our lives today. Children can discover interactive displays while guests experience a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and archives defining our local narrative. ​
We invite you to be our guest - visit, explore, and discover how the Hershey History Center (HHC) is making History Happen Here.
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Welcome!
SENT TO WAR: RETURNING FOR PEACE
Thursday, July 3 | 6:00pm
Colonel Charles M. Bechtel, USA (Ret.) will share his experience as a Vietnam veteran and the healing experience of returning to the country with a group organized and sponsored by a Vietnamese woman who was sent to the States at age five as Saigon was falling. Charles Bechtel was active throughout his career in procuring help for the often maligned and misunderstood Vietnam veterans.
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JAZZ AT THE BARNYARD
July 4, August 1, September 5. Opens at 6pm. Music from 7pm to 9pm.
Bring your lawn chairs and BYOB for our summer series of LIVE jazz under the stars. Enjoy an eclectic mix of jazz musicians and vocalists in the Hershey History Center's Barnyard. 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.
BLOOD DRIVE
Friday, August 8 | 10:30am to 3:00pm
Hershey History Center will sponsor an American Red Cross blood drive, to be held in the community room on Friday, August 8th from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Please schedule an appointment to donate blood. (Walk-ins are discretionary.) You will be asked to create an account or to sign in. Please complete a Rapid Pass (health check) on the donation day. Thank you!
Thursday, August 14 | Time TBA
Johnny O'Brien, 1961 graduate of Milton Hershey School, and past President of the Milton Hershey School, 2003 to 2008, will be a speaker at the Hershey History Center on Thursday, August 14 at 6pm. Johnny O'Brien is the author of "Semisweet: An Orphan's Journey Through the School the Hersheys Built".​
AN EVENING WITH JOHNNY O'BRIEN
NEWSLETTER
To get news and updates from the Hershey History Center in your email Inbox, please subscribe to our Newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X at @hersheyhistory
YOUR VISIT
EXPLORE the Hershey History Center's Library. Find a variety of resources for research on a range of topics related to Derry Township and Hershey. Independent research in the Library can be conducted by scheduling an appointment to visit.
Please call 717-520-0748 or contact us by email at research@hersheyhistory.org ahead of your visit to maximize your time.
FOLLOW the museum map and virtual audio tour to guide you through the permanent exhibits, such as the Major Dick Winters' Den, and B'ars to Bears, and visit our most recently added exhibits, A Town Called Hershey, and From House Call to Phone Call.
REQUEST guided tours for groups by contacting us at 717-520-0748 or by email to info@hersheyhistory.org. Looking for somewhere to hold an event? Contact us about the facility rental at the Barnyard, perfect for weddings, graduation parties, and family gatherings.
ONLINE PHOTO ARCHIVE
The Hershey History Center has a collection of approximately 30,000 historic photos. We are continuously publishing updates to the collection for online searching, viewing and purchasing. Currently, there are close to 1000 photos to view in the database with more added regularly. If you are interested in purchasing a photo from the Archive, please email: photos@hersheyhistory.org
Hershey Coach Company
Hershey Coach Company
Hover on a photo to show the Pause and Play buttons to stop the slideshow for a closer look.
1729 Shop
Looking for a unique Hershey souvenir, or a vintage-inspired gift?
Stop in to the Hershey History Center to shop for gifts for friends and family, or as a memento of your visit. Find lots of one-of-a-kind items and mission-based goods, as well as locally made products. We are open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am to 3pm.
Please visit the web page for details.
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Members of the Hershey History Center receive 10% discount off purchases.
OTHER MUSEUMS OF INTEREST
AACA Library & Research Center
Gettysburg National Military Park
Hummelstown Historical Society
Lebanon County Historical Society
Pennsylvania Historical Museum
our mission:
interpret
PRESERVE
PROMOTE
the history of Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Programs and services provided in part by funding through the PA Historical & Museum Commission