A Trip to: Hershey, PA
The Sweetest Place On Earth
By Diane Flynn Keith

Milton S. Hershey was born in 1857 in Pennsylvania and was raised by his parents who were poor. He had very little formal schooling and failed at numerous business ventures before finally succeeding at making milk-caramel candies at the age of 40. Caramels provided Hershey with his first million dollars, but chocolate was the ticket to his real fortune. He sold his caramel business in 1900 and devoted all of his time to attempting to find just the right blend of ingredients for milk chocolate. By 1905 his chocolate factory was completed, and with his recipe perfected, he set about mass-producing milk chocolate. Hershey used a number of clever promotional ideas (including Hershey's Kisses) that led to his name becoming the nationwide symbol for quality chocolate.

Hershey believed wealth should be used for the benefit of others and practiced what he preached. Since the company was located in the middle of farmland, Hershey decided to build a town around his factory so that workers would have easy access to a bank, hotel, school, churches, parks, and even a zoo. He even built a trolley system so that workers who preferred to live outside of Hershey could easily commute to the factory. Hershey understood that developing a "company town" made good business sense. He wasn't without critics, and at the Museum you can learn more about his business practices that were questioned, and the eventual unionization of the chocolate factory workers.

Hershey built the Hershey Museum in 1933 to house a large collection of Native American artifacts that he purchased. He also acquired a collection of Pennsylvania "Dutch" objects that represented the heritage of many of Hershey's factory workers and residents of the town of Hershey. These collections are on exhibit at the Museum today. One of the most impressive exhibits is the 13-foot tall Apostolic Clock. Visitors can watch the hourly procession of beautifully hand-carved biblical figures that represent sequences leading up to the crucifixion of Christ. The detail and synchronization of this clock continues to amaze audiences - just as it did when it was completed in 1878.

In addition to the fine exhibits, the Museum continues Hershey's legacy of providing educational opportunities for youth. You see, Hershey and his wife Catherine were childless, and devoted much of their fortune to establishing an industrial school for orphans - the main objective being to provide wholesome food, decent shelter, and training in useful trades and occupations. Milton Hershey died in 1845 (at 88 years of age), but his will provided for the continued operation of the school. Today, the school's mission is to provide under-privileged and at-risk students with a first-class, private school education. The Museum serves to enhance education too, by offering special hands-on educational exhibits and programs for students throughout the year. Homeschoolers frequently take advantage of Hershey Museum programs as well.

For a Virtual Tour of Hershey Museum, or for information about programs, exhibits, and events, visit their website at www.hersheymuseum.org.

Hershey Museum
Open daily year round.
Admission: $6/adult, $3/youth 3-15, under 3 free.
170 W. Hershey Park Drive
Hershey, PA 17033
Voice: (717) 534-3439
Web: http://www.hersheymuseum.org/

Next Location - Hershey Gardens & Butterfly House