By Ann Terry Hill
The seducing aroma of chocolate overwhelms you as you hit the city limits. The chocolate kiss lamps that light the streets are constant reminders of HERSHEY.
“This is where Milton S. Hershey was born and where he eventually returned to grow his chocolate business—and build a community rich in education, culture and recreation.” From HERSHEY, A Guide to the town built on chocolate.
Everything about the town is a tribute to Hershey, the love of the taste of chocolate and one man’s dream of creating a harmonious community where people live, work, get an education and recreate together. The town hasn’t changed much since Mr. Hershey built his first factory there and together with his wife Catherine “Kitty” first pursued that dream. Mrs. Hershey suffered from an unknown health condition and because of it the couple could never have children. She died at an early age, but true to her nature, suggested the school and home for orphan boys. (In 1968 the Milton Hershey School was racially integrated and since 1976 has been integrated to allow females. The school prospers still and today with 1818 students. is the largest residential education program in the U.S.A. Milton Hershey donated his own private fortune to the school. For every piece of Hershey chocolate one buys a percentage of the sale goes to the school.
80,000,000 Hershey@s Kisses are made each day at the chocolate factories in Hershey, Virginia and California. The Hershey Store which opened in 2009 replaced the Hershey Museum. With state-of-the-art technology you can engage in a digital tour of the town. It’s a great place for kids to participate at a nominal fee.
The store also houses a café, and a Chocolate Lab and offers many educational events for the chocolate lover.
Other fun things to do in Hershey and the surrounding Harrisburg area (approximately 15 miles away):
Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park is considered to be the most scenic inland waterfront in the U.S. The National Civil War Museum, in Harrisburg, portrays the entire Civil War from beginning to end without bias to Union or Confederate preferences.
There are many places to lodge while in the area, but The Hotel Hershey is a landmark, and was Milton Hershey’s dream project. It has been an AAA “Four Diamond” Award winner for 27 consecutive years. Its Chocolate Spa is world class. The hotel has just undergone an $67 million dollar expansion. Just as sweet as the candy that made it famous.
I guarantee with a visit here you will be tempted to jump right in one of those vats of chocolate! Who can resist?
www.HersheyHarrisburg.org
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