School Field Trips and Homeschool Groups

The Hershey History Center (Home of the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society since 1991) provides a unique educational experience that looks beyond the chocolate bar to the broader history of the region. The Center offers an intimate, primary-source-driven look at local heritage, industry, and military history.

 

Education services concentrate on "Making History Happen Here" through hands-on discovery and interactive storytelling.

1. Guided & Self-Guided Museum Tours
Key exhibits used for educational programs include:

Before There Was Chocolate There Was Stone: An exploration of the local brownstone quarry industry that supplied stone for major cities across the East Coast before Milton S. Hershey arrived.

Major Dick Winters's Den: A reconstruction of the personal office of the Band of Brothers leader, featuring WWII artifacts that centers on leadership, ethics, and service.

From B’ars to Bears: A comprehensive history of the Hershey Bears hockey team, connecting sports history with community identity.

Heritage & Settlers: Exhibits covering the original Derry Township settlers include:

• Farming life in rural communities

• Children’s education in the early 1900s

• The Italian-American immigrant experience

 

A Town Called Hershey: an exhibit on the various entities that made up the Hershey Estates, and the evolution of the Hershey Transit Company. 

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From House Call to Phone Call: the history of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

 

The Presence of the Law: Pennsylvania State Police history.

2. Interactive Learning
Programs and grade level appropriate activities may be prearranged. These will focus on sensory engagement, observation, analysis, and critical inquiry.

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To schedule a school field trip or a homeschool group, please send an email to Tracy Brown, Programming and Activities Coordinator, at Education@hersheyhistory.org