HOLIDAY CLOSINGS: DECEMEBR 24TH & 25TH. DECEMBER 31ST & JANUARY 1ST, 2025. (AND SUNDAYS.)
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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!
HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW
Now through Monday, December 30.
All aboard for the 2024 Holiday Train Show. Friday, November 29 through Monday, December 30, 2024. (Extended hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 10am to 4pm.) This is an exciting display that's fun for the whole family. Volunteers set up, bring track, engines, junctions, scenery, rolling stock, and more. Access to the Holiday Train Show, and the Chocolate Town Special, is included with museum entrance.
REMEMBRANCE TREE ORNAMENTS
Celebrate the memory of a loved one, is to purchase a beautiful glass ornament for the Remembrance Tree. We are open daily from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, through December 30. Stop in to select an ornament, or go online to our website. Choose a star, a bauble, a skate, or a Santa. We will accept orders for Remembrance Tree ornaments until December 24.
SAVOR THE SEASON FOOD TOURS
December 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28
Two tour times each day:
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Brunch Tour: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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Mid-Day Tour: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
This special holiday event presented by Yokl is designed to celebrate Hershey, PA's vibrant culinary scene and showcase its many talented small businesses. The tours will feature exclusive visits to some of Hershey's best local restaurants, cafes, and specialty food vendors, offering guests a chance to savor seasonal flavors while supporting the businesses that make Hershey unique. The tours also include a brief backstory of each eating establishment, highlighting their location and what makes them a cherished part of our community.
LA FESTA ITALIANA: FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES
Saturday, December 7 | 5pm to 9pm (WAITLISTED)
Celebrating the families, businesses, and places that represent the rich history of Hershey’s Italian community, La Festa Italiana is HHC’s annual heritage festival. Each year focuses on a specific theme which reflects a narrative of food, music, and culture. This year’s theme will celebrate a culinary holiday tradition, Feast of the Seven Fishes.
URBAN ALPHABET
Thursday, January 23 | 6:00pm
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Lancaster architect and author, Gregory J. Scott. FAIA, presents his new book, "Urban Alphabet", an illustrated dictionary detailing the work of architectural legend C. Emlen Urban. Discover how each letter of the alphabet connects to an architectural detail or style featured in Urban’s buildings. "Urban Alphabet", published by Egg & Dart, (released on November 7) will be available for purchase and signing at the program.
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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
The windowless offices of the Chocolate Co. decorated for Christmas in December 1956.
Park Bandshell. Late 1920s.
The windowless offices of the Chocolate Co. decorated for Christmas in December 1956.
Hover on a photo to show the Pause and Play buttons to stop the slideshow for a closer look.
Our Gift 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 momento of your visit. Find lots of one-of-a-kind items and mission-based goods, as well as locally made products. We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am to 3pm.
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Members of the Hershey History Center receive 10% discount off purchases.
OTHER MUSEUMS OF INTEREST
Gettysburg National Military Park
Hummelstown Historical Society
Lebanon County Historical Society
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