October 7, 2023
HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA
HIGH POINT MANSION & THE HERSHEY STORY MUSEUM
“The Milton S. Hershey Mansion, also known as High Point, is a historic house at 100 Mansion Road East in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Built in 1908, it was the home of Hershey Chocolate founder Milton S. Hershey from 1908 until his death.” - Wikipedia “The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue is devoted to the history and legacy of Milton S. Hershey and the chocolate candy confections he invented. It is located at 63 West Chocolate Avenue in downtown Hershey, Pennsylvania, and opened in January 2009.” - Wikipedia
As I was making my way from Vermont to Tennessee I made a stop in Hershey, PA. The stop was strategic, as I love candy making and therefore I try to stop at any candy making points of interest I can find, and Hershey fit the bill. I visited two points of interest, High Point, or the Milton S. Hershey Mansion and the Hershey Story Museum. I learned a lot about Milton Hershey, the town of Hershey, and the development of the Hershey Candy Company.
Milton Hershey was a failure at several businesses before he started making and selling caramels. He saw an chocolate exhibit at a World’s Fair and decided that was the future of the candy business. He sold his caramel business and started making chocolates. The company was a huge success, so he decided to build a new factory near where he was born. In order to treat his employees in the manner he thought they deserved he decided to build a town and thus Hershey, PA was born. In 1908, he built his mansion and lived their until his death. The mansion has been several things since his death, including the clubhouse for the golf course that surrounds the house, but now is the office of the Hershey Foundation. Milton Hershey was quite a philanthropist. One of his endeavors was the Hershey Industrial School, a private boarding school for “needy” children, who attend at no expense. The school is still operating today under the name of the Milton Hershey School.
I visited Hershey on a rainy day, so after the mansion and museum I headed back to my RV. I wish I would have had more time to explore the town, but that just means I’ll have to return some day.
Milton S. Hershey Mansion, also known as High Point
The view from the front door. Notice the golf green on the right side of the picture.
The Hershey Story Museum
Milton Hershey's crib
Milton Hershey was a philanthropist for most of his life.
Candy molds
Candy molds
Automation was a huge part of Hershey's success. This is part of the Kisses wrapping machine.
This Torchere was moved from the Hershey mansion to the museum when the house was being used a Clubhouse.
Hershey also used great marketing, including making sure window displays were pleasing.
Candy bar vending machine.
Hershey distributed education kits to educators.
Ben Hogan was the golf pro at the Hershey golf course.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were designed in Hershey, PA, but not be the Hershey company. Milton Hershey welcomed the competition, and eventually bought the Reese's company.
Hershey expanded his company into Cuba where sugar was plentiful. Hershey sold his Cuban company just before Communism got a stronghold there.
He started his own community in Cuba, as well. One of the past times there was baseball.