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History of the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society, and the Pinehurst Barn. History of the Hershey History Center Our organizational history has deep roots, and over the course of 30 years, we have grown significantly, embracing change and welcoming greater opportunities to share our mission and collective history with more audiences. In 1991, the Derry Township Historical Society was established, at the request of municipal leaders and community members who had an interest in formally documenting and collecting our local heritage. Over the course of the next 30 years, we evolved from an all-volunteer operation with provisional locations offering limited storage and exhibition space, to a substantial community history center with permanent staff. In 2003, the DTHS made a significant acquisition, purchasing our building, an adapted-reuse barn known as Pinehurst No. 35. In 2007, Derry Township Historical Society’s name was altered to include Hershey, better signifying its location and relevance to the community. Through the next decade, our facility underwent extensive renovations, our programs and offerings expanded, and a new, outdoor, multi-use event space was created. All of this led to a more refined and dynamic organization for those who contributed through the years. Organizational growth prompted yet another change: a new brand name which represents the diversity and evolution of the Historical Society, while still providing insight into our shared heritage and community narrative. Adopted in 2020, the brand Hershey History Center celebrates our achievements, focuses on our mission, and defines our relevance and sustainability. As we continue to increase access for research and demonstrate our role in preservation, our museum, educational programs, and events illustrate the value of our collections. With pride, we remain the legal entity of the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society for the benefit of our community. History of the Pinehurst Barn Early references indicate that a dairy farm was established on this location in 1820, substantiated by landowner maps which notate J. Hershey as the property owner. John was Milton S. Hershey’s great uncle, and had two sons, Martin and Menno, who inherited this property. In 1861, the property was deeded solely to Martin by his brother Menno. Historical records also indicate that the barn burned and was completely rebuilt in 1916. At the time of Martin’s death, Milton S. Hershey purchased the farm property and rebuilt the farmhouse, intending to expand his dairy program for Hershey Industrial School (H.I.S.). In 1931, H.I.S. student home Pinehurst #35 was officially opened, one of 44 new farm homes to house the growing number of orphan boys enrolled in the School. All students in grades 6-12 were placed in farm homes, like Pinehurst, where they performed daily dairy chores. In the 1950s, H.I.S. graduates who were continuing their education at the Hershey Junior College lived in the home and performed dairy chores as part of their college scholarship arrangement. In 1965, the dairy was closed and students in other vocational programs were assigned to the home. As programs in the School adapted to contemporary needs and primary activities moved to the south side of the Hershey community, the decision was made to close the home as a student residence. 1980 was the last year students from Milton Hershey School (formerly the Hershey Industrial School) were housed at Pinehurst.

Ten years before the Bears won their first championship, on April 15, 1947, the Calder Cup was awarded for the first time to the Syracuse Stars. The trophy is named after Frank Calder, the inaugural president of the National Hockey League. ​ Celebrating the 12th Championship for the Bears (2023), HHC volunteer Diane "Bunny" Yorty (nee Blinco) holds the Calder Cup, with the image of her dad, the first icon of the Bears franchise Lloyd Blinco, pictured second on the left. Hershey Bears Celebrating the Latest...Remembering the First A Scrapbook Memory - 1946 to 1947 Bunny Yorty Hershey Bears Calder Cup Champions - 1969 Did You Know? Ten years before the Bears won their first championship, on April 15, 1947, the Calder Cup was awarded for the first time to the Syracuse Stars. The trophy is named after Frank Calder, the inaugural president of the National Hockey League. Celebrating the 12th Championship for the Bears (2023), HHC volunteer Diane "Bunny" Yorty (nee Blinco) holds the Calder Cup, with the image of her dad, the first icon of the Bears franchise Lloyd Blinco, pictured second on the left. Lloyd "Bull" Blinco Many things get old...but something that never does, is bringing home "the Cup"! Several who wore the chocolate and white in the earliest years of Hershey Hockey Club's existence created an atmosphere and set the stage for what would become the AHL's most successful franchise. One such individual who would play in the 1930s, later go on to coach, and serve as general manager and president of the Bears was Lloyd "Bull" Blinco. His contributions to hockey were recognized by his being the first hockey player inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and in the inaugural class of the Bears HOF. From the hoisting of that first Calder Cup on April 15, 1947 to number twelve 76 years later, Hershey has established an unequalled level of success and accomplishment in the American Hockey League. Hershey swept Cleveland 4-0 in the opening round outscoring the Barons 24 to 3. In the finals, Hershey shut out Pittsburgh 4 - 0 in game one before losing the next 3. Then, facing elimination, the Bears, with superb goal-tending from Gordie Henry, came back to win the final 3 games and clinch their first of 13 Calder Cups. That's right...THIRTEEN!!! In those final 3 games, Henry shutdown the Hornets offense with shutouts in games 5 and 7 while the Chocolate and White outscored their opponents 10 to 1. Amazingly, Hershey shut out their opponents in 5 of their 11 post-season games. A second truly remarkable feat occurred in that 1947 Calder Cup run when another Gordie, left-winger Gordie Bruce, went into game 7 of the finals playing with as many cracked ribs as goals he had scored in the finals - 3. It looks like Gino Rozzini #20 (front row - 2nd from left) took a puck, stick, or fist to his right eye. Actually, newspaper reports of a game on March 2, 1947 against the Providence Reds state that, "Midway in the second period Eddie Bush of the Reds was banished from the game and charged with deliberately injuring Gino Rozzini in a wild scramble behind the Providence net. Rozzini was pushed into the wire screen and suffered a deep gash around the right eye." (Page last updated May 2025.) Gordie Henry (1948)

Memories of Hershey Bears hockey team's early days. History of the years the Culder Cup was won, and significant hockey players in those times. Hershey Bears Celebrating the Latest...Remembering the First A Scrapbook Memory - 1946 to 1947 Bunny Yorty Hershey Bears Calder Cup Champions - 1969 Did You Know? Ten years before the Bears won their first championship, on April 15, 1947, the Calder Cup was awarded for the first time to the Syracuse Stars. The trophy is named after Frank Calder, the inaugural president of the National Hockey League. Celebrating the 12th Championship for the Bears (2023), HHC volunteer Diane "Bunny" Yorty (nee Blinco) holds the Calder Cup , with the im age of her dad, the first icon of the Bears franchise Lloyd Blinco, pictured second on the left. Lloyd "Bull" Blinco Many things get old...but something that never does, is bringing home "the Cup"! Several who wore the chocolate and white in the earliest years of Hershey Hockey Club's existence created an atmosphere and set the stage for what would become the AHL's most successful franchise. One such individual who would play in the 1930s, later go on to coach, and serve as general manager and president of the Bears was Lloyd "Bull" Blinco. His contributions to hockey were recognized by his being the first hockey player inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and in the inaugural class of the Bears HOF. From the hoisting of that first Calder Cup on April 15, 1947 to number twelve 76 years later, Hershey has established an unequalled level of success and accomplishment in the American Hockey League. Hershey swept Cleveland 4-0 in the opening round outscoring the Barons 24 to 3. In the finals, Hershey shut out Pittsburgh 4 - 0 in game one before losing the next 3. Then, facing elimination, the Bears, with superb goal-tending from Gordie Henry, came back to win the final 3 games and clinch their first of 13 Calder Cups. That's right...THIRTEEN!!! In those final 3 games, Henry shutdown the Hornets offense with shutouts in games 5 and 7 while the Chocolate and White outscored their opponents 10 to 1. Amazingly, Hershey shut out their opponents in 5 of their 11 post-season games. A second truly remarkable feat occurred in that 1947 Calder Cup run when another Gordie, left-winger Gordie Bruce, went into game 7 of the finals playing with as many cracked ribs as goals he had scored in the finals - 3. It looks like Gino Rozzini #20 (front row - 2nd from left) took a puck, stick, or fist to his right eye. Actually, newspaper reports of a game on March 2, 1947 against the Providence Reds state that, "Midway in the second period Eddie Bush of the Reds was banished from the game and charged with deliberately injuring Gino Rozzini in a wild scramble behind the Providence net. Rozzini was pushed into the wire screen and suffered a deep gash around the right eye." (Page last updated May 2025.) Gordie Henry (1948)

Hershey Bears hockey team history told in a documentary film. B'ars to Bears: Hershey Hockey Dynasty. Purchase the DVD at the museum. B'ars to Bears Documentary The B’ars to Bears film is a full-length documentary produced by the Hershey History Center, featuring the American Hockey League’s oldest and most successful franchise, the Hershey Bears. Originally called the “B’ars” as a reference to American candy mogul Milton S. Hershey’s chocolate bar, the amateur B’ars became the iconic Bears when they entered the American Hockey League in 1938. More than eight decades of the team’s storied history is chronicled in the film, featuring exclusive interviews with hockey personalities Don Cherry, Bruce Boudreau, Stan Fischler, Kerry Fraser and Willie Marshall. This film is available for purchase through the Hershey History Center and is available digitally on Prime Video. All proceeds support the mission of the History Center and benefit the Hershey Bears artifact and research collection at the History Center, the largest, publicly available repository of Bears programs, photographs and artifacts. Director of Photography Matt Stambaugh Edited by Matt Stambaugh Cover Illustration by Accorsi Studios WATCH FILM TRAILER Please purchase the DVD at the Hershey History Center for $20. The DVD may be mailed to you for an additional $5. Please contact us at info@hersheyhistory.org or call us during our hours of operation. Facebook Page

Hershey History Center's annual Artfests supports many local artisan exhibiting a wide variety of artwork. Art demonstrations. Fun activities for kids and music performers. Food trucks selling a variety of snacks and drinks. Hershey Artfest Hershey Artfest – Celebrating Art, Community, and America’s 250th Anniversary! Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026. 9am to 4pm. Location: Englewood Hershey 1219 W. End Ave, Hummelstown, PA 17036. (Hershey West End.) Hershey Artfest is easy to access from Rt. 422, and 322, and all points coming into Hershey. Parking: At the Research Center Lot. Over 2,000 spaces will be available for guests and artists. Disabled parking is also available onsite. Entry: FREE to the general public. For general questions about Artfest, or for sponsorship opportunities: Please send an email to artfest@hersheyhistory.org or call (717) 520-0748. About Artfest: There’s no better way to honor creativity, community, and our shared American story than on Saturday, May 9, 2026, when Hershey Artfest returns to Englewood Hershey in Hershey West End. This year, the tradition carries special meaning as the festival joins in celebrating America's 250th anniversary and the history of our hometown. Save the date and bring mom to celebrate her special day, bring the kids, and invite friends and neighbors – Hershey Artfest has something for everyone! What could be a sweeter way to spend Mother’s Day Weekend than supporting the arts while taking part in a milestone moment in our nation’s history? Each year, Artfest showcases the talent and creativity of our region, featuring a wide array of artists, artisans, and authors presenting their work across many mediums – from fine art and ceramics to metalwork, wood, textiles, jewelry, and more. This year’s event embraces an Americana feel, honoring the craftsmanship, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit that has carried our country forward for 250 years. This year, there will be demonstration tent, where artists will be sharing how they make their art, where they get inspiration, techniques, and the history of their work. We welcome Erin Edith , who is an acrylic artist working out of Lititz, Pennsylvania. Erin Edith is the first "Live Artist" featured at this event, producing a picture just for Artfest. Her paintings bring a vibrant, feminine touch to the landscapes she loves most—from the serene geometry of golf courses to the rolling farmland of Central Pennsylvania and the joyful energy of live wedding scenes. Known for her use of bright, expressive color, Erin transforms familiar environments into dreamlike compositions filled with uplifting hues, especially her signature pinks, purples, and bold contrasts. Her work blends observation with emotion, aiming to capture not only how a place looks, but how it feels. Since going full time with her art in 2022 Erin has sent work to two PGA Tour players, worked countless live events and sold prints and paintings across the country. Whether she’s painting the sweeping curves of a fairway, the quiet charm of a local green, or creating a timeless keepsake during a couple’s wedding day, Erin’s goal remains the same: to translate the world’s natural vibrancy into art that sparks joy, connection, and lasting memory. When not in the studio, she is spending time with her husband and two toddlers cherishing the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Live entertainment: MHS Quintet - 9:30am to 10am (Porch) Hershey Symphony’s Festival of Strings - 10am to 11am (Portico) The Frost Duo Band - 10am to 12:30pm (Stage) Blessing and Fowler Band - 1pm to 3:30pm (Stage) HHS Jazz Band - 11am to 11:45pm (Portico) Shelba Purtle, Handpan Musician - 12:15pm – 1:45pm (Porch) Members of Central PA Symphony - 2pm to 3pm (Porch) HHS Orchestra’s “Chilin Quartet” - 3:15pm to 3:45pm (Porch) Children's activities: Art Exhibit 10am – Noon Kids arts and crafts- noodle necklaces Storytime 1pm – 2pm Crafts and hands-on art stations include face painting, Spin art, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Central PA - craft, Hershey Christian School - craft, and the Doodle Booth. Food Vendors: Festival-goers can also experience a unique mix of food offerings from around the world. 717 Tacos Bricker's Famous French Fries Buckey's Festival Food Cosmic Kettle Corn Gio's Smokin' Grill & Sweet Treats Habby Fruit Hot Sauces Joy Joy Lumpia Just Juice PA Kickin' Rooster Chicken Sandwiches Kopper Penny Koncessions Luna Cycle PA Dairymen's Association Milk Shakes Seltzer’s Smokehouse Meats The Groovey Lemon YiaYia's Kitchen ART VENDOR GALLERY Enjoy a sample of this year's Artfest! 2026 art vendors will exhibit many mediums, including fine art, ceramics, photography, textiles, wood, metal work, glass work, books, jewelry, mixed media, and more. (Hover on the image for the vendor's name. Click the image for full-screen.) Peggy Neuhard Rosemary Belfer Vanessa Fetrow Peggy Neuhard 1/103 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Sign up here Volunteers needed for Hershey Artfest, May 9, 2026. We need your help to make Artfest a success! There are different jobs and shifts throughout the day. No experience necessary. Plus plenty of opportunity to browse the art, listen to music and sample the food. It's a great day out and a fun event for volunteers. MOUNT GRETNA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Short & Sweet at Englewood Hershey ! Join us after Artfest for the Mount Gretna International Film Festival: an evening of short independent films, tasty bites, and a signature drink—all in one unforgettable experience! Tickets on Eventbrite. SPONSORS Highmark Penn State Health Sally Copeland, Coldwell Banker Realty Sponsors

Hershey Estates consisted of entities Milton Hershey established provided all things needed for a thriving community: jobs, places to live, commodities and supplies, utilities and services, education, cultural and recreational opportunities. A HISTORY OF HERSHEY ESTATES A unique town exploded onto the rural landscape of central Pennsylvania in 1903, brought into existence from the visionary mind of Milton S. Hershey and his establishment of what would become the world's largest chocolate factory. A Town is Born The multiple entities Hershey established provided all things needed for a thriving community: jobs, places to live, commodities and supplies, utilities and services, education, cultural and recreational opportunities. Due to Milton Hershey's interest in the health and welfare of his townspeople, Hershey, Pennsylvania was like no other "company town." Everything a growing, thriving town needed, he provided... a beautiful recreational park, large convention hall, dance pavilion, and swimming pool a bank and a department store a hospital and a first-of-its-kind consolidated school …to name just a few of the town's early amenities. Later, during one of our country's most depressed decades, he would subsidize the building of a world-class hotel, a community building with a magnificent theatre, a high school for his Hershey Industrial School orphans, a state-of-the-art chocolate factory office, an innovative sports arena, and a big-city stadium. “I am trying to build here a place where people can be happy and contented while they work and live." Success Magazine article 1927 Milton S. Hershey Hershey From the beginning, the town nurtured a multi-faceted experience for its residents – and continues to draw visitors to take in its many offerings. Milton S. Hershey "I am carrying out the terms of my own will while I am still living… If I should pass tomorrow everything would go on just as it is going on now… After all, what good is one's money unless one uses it for the good of the community and humanity in general?" A Town Grows and Thrives The industrialists who spawned America's infrastructure and commerce were nothing without their labor force. Some were paternalistic, creating communities that supported their employees to induce greater returns, some focused solely on their own capital gain. MS Hershey was not only paternalistic, but he was also focused on the people as much as on his product. He was unquestionably dedicated to ensuring his workers had first class amenities, guaranteeing certain rights for their benefit, and devising opportunities in which to spend their free time with their families. For manufacturing employees in some other places and other industries, a day off was not a guarantee, wages were much less than fair, standard housing was never a promise, and scrip was issued in place of cash — requiring workers to use company businesses. Lowell, Massachusetts, considered the first industrial company town in America, required female employees to attend church and wakened them to a daily factory bell in their dorm. In Pullman, Illinois, where railroad cars were the commodity, residents were not allowed to own their homes and even the books for the library were monitored. George Pullman responded to an economic depression by lowering wages but not rents or other costs, ultimately leading to one of the largest strikes in labor history, resulting in the creation of Labor Day. Unlike other manufacturing towns, created only to sustain production, Hershey looked and smelled like a sweet utopia. It rang out with the sounds of cheering crowds and Broadway shows, and hosted Henry Picard and Ben Hogan as golf pros. It produced or provided most household needs from food and soap to greenery and fashion, gas for cars and coal for the homes. Today, hockey goal buzzers still buzz, golfers still hit the greens, and the Gardens still flourish. As for other manufacturing communities which still exist, many do so as national parks or historic museums. But none have so successfully evolved, thrived, and yet retained the very foundation and economic base as Hershey has. All of this was envisioned at the inception of planning for a small manufacturing town; a unique town that promised a lot and provided even more. From the town's earliest days, Mr. Hershey created an infrastructure for the community that provided everything his citizens might need. In 1906, he established the Hershey Improvement Company (HIC) which provided electricity, telephone service, water, and a waste management—sewerage system. HIC also promoted the sale of real estate and assumed management of details typically taken care of by a municipal government. At this time, all the non-chocolate services still operated under the umbrella of the Chocolate Company. However, when Hershey stock was traded publicly on the NYSE in 1927, it became imperative to separate non-chocolate functions from the chocolate-making company. In that same year, Hershey Estates was created and assumed the responsibility of HIC and all non-chocolate businesses. Hershey Estates became part of the holdings for the benefit of the Milton Hershey's orphanage for boys. During the years of its existence, from 1927 to 1976, Hershey Estates oversaw 33 separate companies. They covered everything from A to Z—Abattoir to Zoo, birth to death—Hershey Hospital to Hershey Cemetery. Municipal government was not necessary – the Estates embodied the authority and tools to provide administrative oversight, services, and utilities required to manage a small but robust manufacturing community. They provided street lighting, repaired sidewalks, and roads, and made zoning decisions; they offered retail, service, and lodging opportunities; they operated an amusement park and a hockey team. Times change, and Hershey Estates had to change with them. Small privately owned utilities were a thing of the past. The Park was far from self-sustaining, and other divisions operating at a loss were a constant and increasing drain of the company’s funds—among them upkeep of local roads. In 1976, the Estates divested itself of everything except the local entertainment and resort entities. Hersheypark had been enclosed and re-created as a theme park. Attention was now focused on the promotion of Hotel Hershey, Hershey Motor Lodge, the Park, concerts, and hockey in the Sports Arena. A new name was warranted, and the company rebranded as HERCO, Inc. in 1998, then renamed Hershey Entertainment and Resorts (HE&R), which remains a privately held company for the benefit of the Milton Hershey School. A Town Lives From A-Z

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Hershey History Center will host acclaimed historian and author Robert P. Watson, PhD. on Thursday, May 11, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for an engaging discussion of his latest book, Declaration: The Story of America’s Independence. Declaration: The Story of American Independence Declaration: The Story of American Independence Monday, May 11 | 6:00 pm - 7:30pm Presented by historian, author, and Hershey native, Professor Robert P. Watson, PhD. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Hershey History Center will host acclaimed historian and author Robert P. Watson, on Monday, May 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an engaging discussion of his latest book, Declaration: The Story of American Independence. Books will be on sale at the program. HHC members receive a 10% discount. The author will offer autograph opportunities following the presentation. Click here for more about Robert Watson's books. This is an in-person program, but you may register to access the live stream. The program is free! Please consider a donation to support future programs such as this. 100% of your donation goes to our mission. Thank you. Register for a live stream About the program Watson’s Declaration uncovers the lesser-known stories, surprising twists, and forgotten voices behind the creation of the United States’ most iconic document. Drawing from letters, diaries, newspapers, and diplomatic records, Watson examines the debates, drafts, and drama that shaped the Declaration of Independence. Attendees will gain insight into the complex and often misunderstood origins of the Declaration, including the missteps of the British Crown, shifting colonial sentiments, and the contributions of enlightened thinkers who helped spark a revolutionary moment in history. The book also explores the influence of women, enslaved individuals, and Indigenous peoples, highlighting the diverse perspectives that shaped America’s early years. Watson will discuss the document’s philosophical roots, its political impact, and the ongoing struggle to realize its promises of liberty and equality. Books by the author Bio Robert Watson has published nearly 50 books and 200 scholarly articles and essays on topics in political, military, and social history, as well as two multi-edition, multi-volume encyclopedia sets on the presidents and first ladies. Some of his recent books include Affairs of State (Rowman & Littlefield, 2012), America’s First Crisis (SUNY Press, 2014), The Nazi Titanic (Hachette, 2016), The Ghost Ship of Brooklyn (Hachette, 2017), George Washington’s Final Battle (Georgetown University Press, 2021), Escape! (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021), When Washington Burned (Georgetown University Press, 2023), American’s First Plague (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023), Rebels at the Gates (Rowman & Littlefield, 2025), and two forthcoming books: Declaration: The Story of American Independence (Bloomsbury, 2026) and The Trump Presidency (SUNY Press, 2026). A few of Watson’s books have won national awards, are in foreign translation, and have been featured at literary festivals, on PBS and C-SPAN, and in television documentaries. A frequent media commentator, Watson has been interviewed thousands of times by news outlets around the world, including CNN, MSNBC, USA Today, The New York Times, NPR, and the BBC, and has appeared on Hardball, The Daily Show, C-SPAN, The Washington Journal, etc. He was a longtime Sunday columnist for the Sun-Sentinel newspaper and, for many years, an analyst for WPTV 5 (NBC), WPBT 2 (PBS), WIOD 610 AM, WFTL 850 AM, RTE 1 Ireland, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He has served as researcher, writer, and an on-screen expert for 30 historical documentaries for such networks as Science, National Geographic, History Channel, Fuse, Super Channel, and others, including two seasons of an international award-winning series on Nazi secrets and two shows hosted by Morgan Freeman. Dr. Watson co-convened a half-dozen national conferences, co-founded the annual Truman Legacy Symposium for the Truman Presidential Library, and served on the boards of academic associations, community organizations, the Harry S. Truman Foundation, Calvin Coolidge Foundation, and George McGovern Center for Leadership. He also served as founder/editor of the scholarly journal White House Studies, assistant editor/book review editor of The Social Science Journal, and “Presidency Series” editor for the State University of New York Press. As a visiting scholar, he has worked with or lectured for the nation’s preeminent historic sites, including the Truman Presidential Library, Ford Presidential Museum, Illinois Holocaust Museum, US Military Academy at West Point, National Archives, Smithsonian Institution and Smithsonian Associates, Pentagon, Museum of the American Revolution, American Revolution Institute, Gilder-Lehrman Institute of American History, National Museum of the US Navy, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Society of the Cincinnati, James Madison’s Montpelier, Fraunces Tavern Museum, Gettysburg National Battlefield, National Civil War Museum, American Civil War Museum, Mount Rushmore, US Capitol Historical Society, White House Historical Association, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC, Andersonville National Historic Site, National POW Museum, and others. Watson co-chaired initiatives to build the Calvin Coolidge historic site’s Presidential Museum, renovate the Harry Truman Little White House, and secure both the 2012 presidential debate at Lynn University and the 2008 Democratic and Republican primary debates at Florida Atlantic University. He developed curriculum for the “Holocaust Learning Experience” for high schools in Florida, lesson plans and workshops on the Broadway shows Hamilton, Six, Les Miserables, Ragtime, Parade, and To Kill a Mockingbird on behalf of performing arts centers, and curriculum guides on Apple iTunes U for schools studying the 2012 presidential debates. Watson also offers “chat backs” from the stage after theatrical performances, is one of a select group of historians invited every few years by C-SPAN and other organizations to rank the presidents, and is the onboard “enrichment lecturer” for Oceania and Scenic cruise lines. As a community leader, Watson has hosted voter registration drives, civic education programs for schools, workshops for teachers, and initiatives to support women- and minority-owned businesses and socially responsible business practices. He served as a judge for History Day contests, pronouncer for spelling bees, and moderator for political debates and community town halls throughout south Florida, co-founded three non-profits dedicated to civic engagement, political reform, and fact-checking political ads, has hosted for three decades a distinguished lecture series focusing on social justice and civility, whereby he has interviewed over 100 national leaders in politics, law, diplomacy, the military, and the arts, and, with his then-teenage son, organized an annual writing contest for five years for students in Florida. Watson has delivered over 2,500 lectures to libraries, museums, historic sites, community groups, and corporate conventions around the world, is a popular lecturer with One Day University, Curiosity Stream, the 92Y, and has led “study tours” to historic sites around the world. The recipient of many awards for his contributions to the study of the presidency, election commentary, community service, civics programs for schools, and efforts to combat anti-Semitism and incivility, Watson has won “Professor of the Year” several times and has won all three campus-wide faculty awards—service, research, and teaching—at Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University. Robert was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, attended public schools in Hershey, and was educated at Virginia Tech, where he lettered on the football and track teams and has been inducted into two sports halls of fame. Watson taught previously at Troy, Northern Arizona, the University of Hawaii, Florida State’s London campus, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, and with the Junior Statesman Foundation at Yale, Stanford, and Georgetown, and now holds the titles Distinguished Professor of History, Avron Fogelman Research Professor, and Assistant Director of the Center for Citizenship and Civility at Lynn University. He is the proud father of Alexander and Isabella. Please make a donation In order to support our ongoing mission of promoting our local history in light of the costs incurred for public programming, we are asking for a suggested donation of $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. DONATE

Links to membership at individual, family, and business levels. Link to make an additional donation to support the museum. PERSONAL & FAMILY MEMBERSHIP JOIN! BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP Donate & Support As a member supported organization, your generosity sustains the mission and programs of the Hershey History Center. Consider making an additional gift of support today by following the link below. Donate

What we offer Explore the Hershey History Center We are open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10am to 3pm. The Hershey History Center (Home of the Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society since 1991) provides a history of the Hershey community over the past 150 years . Explore the permanent exhibits at your own pace. Visitors can even enhance the museum experience by picking up a map for a self-guided digital audio tour for use with a mobile device, such as a smartphone. Kids age 7 to 12 can try our scavenger hunt-- a fun activity for all ages! 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. Adult Guided Tours Schedule a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent at the Hershey History Center, where we are happy to accommodate small adult groups looking for a personalized museum experience. Please send an email to info@hersheyhistory.org to schedule a tour, or if you have questions. School Field Trips and Homeschool Group Tours Looking for an educational visit for grade school level students? Guided and self-guided tours, and interactive learning activities are available by appointment. More information . Events Looking for somewhere to hold an event? See our RENTALS web page to submit an online form, and to find out about the facility rental at the Barnyard: perfect for weddings, graduation parties, and family gatherings. Your Visit LIBRARY & RESEARCH MUSEUM AUDIO TOUR (at the museum) GUIDED TOURS RENTALS

RALPH FIORE A Hershey Detective in the Early 1900s. FOURTH INSTALLMENT Apparently, Ralph liked parades. In May 1918, he proposed to Mr. Hershey that they should organize an Italian American Parade and that he would manage the entire event. The parade was a huge success, and everyone was very impressed at how coordinated the event was. That same year he organized the Scouts to parade for the sale of Liberty Bonds. Even the best sometimes slip up. At some point, it appears that Mr. Hershey gifted Ralph with the house at 46 East Areba Avenue for $1. When the Fiore family returned to Italy, Ralph sold the house to Fred Pronio. Ralph's children were Ida Fiore, born 1918 in Hershey, and her older brother Ralph and older sister Alma. News articles chronicle what must have been a harrowing experience for the family. In August of 1919, Ida's older brother accidentally shot her when she was just a year old. The injury was critical, but Ida survived. Eventually Ralph Fiore decided to move back to Italy with his family where he stayed and continued to raise his family.

Programming, guided tours and activities for school groups. Perfect for field trips for homeschoolers. Tours must be pre-arranged. Guided Tours EDUCATION SERVICES 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. 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. 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 Adult Guided Tours Schedule a guided tour with a knowledgeable docent at the Hershey History Center, where we are happy to accommodate small adult groups looking for a personalized museum experience. A digital audio tour for use with a mobile device, allows visitors to engage with the exhibits at their own pace. Please send an email to info@hersheyhistory.org to schedule a tour, or if you have questions. EXPLORE HERSHEY'S HISTORY

Privacy Policy Privacy Policy for Hershey History Center Last modified: August 19, 2025. (Updated link to *Mailchimp Privacy Policy below) Introduction The Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society, d/b/a Hershey History Center, respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it through our compliance with this policy. This policy describes the types of information we may collect from you or that you may provide when you visit the website https://www.hersheyhistory.org/ and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and disclosing that information. This policy applies to information we collect: On this Website. In email, text, and other electronic messages between you and this Website. When you subscribe to our email list service, you interact with Mail Chimp, a third-party service provider. Additional information regarding Mail Chimp’s privacy policy can be accessed via the *following link: https://mailchimp.com/help/mailchimp-intuit-privacy-faq/ When accessing our photo collection at https://hersheyhistory.pastperfectonline.com/ , you interact with Past Perfect Museum, a third-party service provider. Additional information regarding Past Perfect’s privacy policy can be accessed via the following link: https://museumsoftware.com/privacypolicy.html. It does not apply to information collected by: Us offline or through any other means, including on any other website operated by a third party. Any third party, including through any application or content that may link to or be accessible from the Website. Please read this policy carefully to understand our policies and practices regarding your information and how we will treat it. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, your choice is not to use our Website. By accessing or using this Website, you agree to this privacy policy. This policy may change from time to time. Your continued use of this Website after we make changes is deemed to be acceptance of those changes, so please check the policy periodically for updates. Information We Collect About You and How We Collect It We collect several types of information from and about users of our Website, including information: By which you may be personally identified, such as name, postal address, e-mail address, telephone number. About your internet connection, the equipment you use to access our Website, and usage details. We collect this information: Directly from you when you provide it to us. Automatically as you navigate through the site. Information collected automatically may include usage details, IP addresses, and information collected through cookies. Information You Provide to Us The information we collect on or through our Website may include: Information that you provide by filling in forms on our Website. This includes information provided at the time of subscribing to our list service. We may also ask you for information when you request research assistance, event information, or report a problem with our Website. Records and copies of your correspondence including email addresses, if you contact us. Your responses to surveys that we might ask you to complete for research purposes. Your search queries on the Website. Payments We use PayPal for the processing of any payments made through our Website (e.g., donations, membership dues, select merchandise). We will not store or collect your payment card details. That information is provided directly to PayPal, whose use of your personal information is governed by its own privacy policy, which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full Information We Collect Through Automatic Data Collection Technologies As you navigate through and interact with our Website, we may use automatic data collection technologies to collect certain information about your equipment, browsing actions, and patterns, including: Details of your visits to our Website, including traffic data, location data, logs, and other communication data and the resources that you access and use on the Website. Information about your computer and internet connection, including your IP address, operating system, and browser type. We also may use these technologies to collect information about your online activities over time and across third-party websites or other online services such as Google Analytics. The information we collect automatically is only statistical data and does not include personal information. It helps us to improve our Website and to deliver a better and more personalized service, including by enabling us to: Estimate our audience size and usage patterns. Store information about your preferences, allowing us to customize our Website according to your individual interests. Speed up your searches. Recognize you when you return to our Website. The technologies we use for this automatic data collection may include “cookies” (or browser cookies). A cookie is a small file placed on the hard drive of your computer. You may refuse to accept browser cookies by activating the appropriate setting on your browser. However, if you select this setting you may be unable to access certain parts of our Website. Unless you have adjusted your browser setting so that it will refuse cookies, our system will issue cookies when you direct your browser to our Website. How We Use Your Information We use information that we collect about you or that you provide to us, including any personal information: To present our Website and its contents to you. To provide you with information, products, or services that you request from us. To fulfill any other purpose for which you provide it. To provide you with notices about your account or subscription, including expiration and renewal notices. To notify you about changes to our Website or any products or services we offer or provide though it. For any other purpose with your consent. Disclosure of Your Information We may disclose aggregated information about our users, and information that does not identify any individual, without restriction. We may disclose personal information that we collect or you provide as described in this privacy policy: To our subsidiaries and affiliates. To contractors, service providers, and other third parties we use to support our business. To a buyer or other successor in the event of a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which personal information held by us about our Website users is among the assets transferred. To third parties to market their products or services to you if you have not opted out of such disclosures. To fulfill the purpose for which you provide it. For any other purpose disclosed by us when you provide the information. With your consent. We may also disclose your personal information: To comply with any court order, law, or legal process, including to respond to any government or regulatory request. To enforce or apply our terms of use and other agreements, including for billing and collection purposes. If we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to protect the rights, property, or safety of The Hershey History Center, our customers, or others. Choices About How We Use and Disclose Your Information We strive to provide you with choices regarding the personal information you provide to us. We have created mechanisms to provide you with the following control over your information: Tracking Technologies and Advertising. You can set your browser to refuse all or some browser cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If you disable or refuse cookies, please note that some parts of this site may then be inaccessible or not function properly. Disclosure of Your Information for Third-Party Advertising. If you do not want us to share your personal information with unaffiliated or non-agent third parties for promotional purposes, you can opt-out by sending us an email with your request to info@hersheyhistory.org . Accessing and Correcting Your Information You may send us an email at info@hersheyhistory.org to correct or delete any personal information that you have provided to us. Data Security We have implemented measures designed to secure your personal information from accidental loss and from unauthorized access, use, alteration, and disclosure. The safety and security of your information also depends on you. Where we have given you (or where you have chosen) a password for access to certain parts of our Website, you are responsible for keeping this password confidential. We ask you not to share your password with anyone. Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although we do our best to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee the security of your personal information transmitted to our Website. Any transmission of personal information is at your own risk. We are not responsible for circumvention of any privacy settings or security measures contained on the Website. Changes to Our Privacy Policy It is our policy to post any changes we make to our privacy policy on this page. If we make material changes to how we treat our users' personal information, we will notify you by email and/or through a notice on the Website home page. The date the privacy policy was last revised is identified at the top of the page. You are responsible for ensuring we have an up-to-date active and deliverable email address for you, and for periodically visiting our Website and this privacy policy to check for any changes. Contact Information To ask questions or comment about this privacy policy and our privacy practices, contact us at: info@hersheyhistory.org or 717-520-0748