Hershey History Center

06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, grandfathers, and father figures, who lead with kindness, protect with strength, and love without limits. 💙Your impact is immeasurable.

📜Did you know: Father's Day in the USA was established by Sonora Smart Dodd in 1910 to honor her Civil War veteran father, a single parent who raised six children. The first celebration took place in Spokane, Washington. It officially became a nationwide federal holiday in 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed it into law.

06/19/2026

Hershey History Center hosts a community blood drive with the American Red Cross Blood Donors.
🗓️When: Friday, August 21
⏰ 10:30am to 3:00pm
📍Location: Hershey History Center. 40 Northeast Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

Blood donors will receive a $20 Amazon Gift by email after donation.

Please schedule an appointment at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Hershey%20HC
⬇️ Download the American Red Cross app to your mobile device to manage appointments and to view donation history and health vitals.

Donating blood is a simple yet profoundly impactful act that can save countless lives. Each donation has the potential to help multiple patients in need, as blood is divided into components like red cells, plasma, and platelets, each serving different medical purposes. Emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments, and chronic illnesses often require transfusions, making regular blood donations essential to maintaining an adequate supply. The process is safe, quick, and relatively painless, taking only about an hour of your time. By giving blood, you contribute to a vital community resource, offering hope and healing to those in dire need.

So, consider rolling up your sleeve and becoming a life-saving hero at blood drive on August 21st.

Did you know: Before 1937, if you needed a blood transfusion, you literally had to find a person with your blood type, put them in a bed next to you, and connect your veins together with a tube! It was a logistical nightmare. But on March 15, 1937, Dr. Bernard Fantus changed medicine forever. At Cook County Hospital in Chicago, he realized you could preserve blood using sodium citrate and store it in glass bottles inside normal, cold refrigerators, officially opening the world's very first "Blood Bank"!

06/19/2026

Juneteenth, a blend of “June” and “Nineteenth,” commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. It marks June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the state’s enslaved people’s freedom—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, Juneteenth signifies the effective end of slavery in America and celebrates Black resilience, culture, and achievements.

📜Visit https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth for details on the history of Juneteenth.

06/18/2026

🚂 BIG BOY No. 4014 IS COMING TO HERSHEY! 🚂
Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, July 7th, the legendary Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014—the world’s largest operating steam locomotive—is rolling right through Hershey, PA, to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary! 🇺🇸✨
Get ready to hear the whistle blow and feel the ground shake! The Hershey History Center is hosting the ultimate Watch Party. There is no charge to spectators in the viewing area.

THE DETAILS:
When: Tuesday, July 7th
Museum Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Estimated Train Arrival: 1:30 PM

WHAT’S HAPPENING:
🚂 A unique model train layout operating inside the museum!
🌭🍦 Rock ‘N Bounce Treats food truck will be on-site serving up hot dogs and ice cream.
🌞 Bring your own lawn chairs to claim your spot on the grass viewing area!

IMPORTANT INFO:
🚗Parking: There will be a parking fee at the museum, but you can apply it to your museum admission! No cars are allowed on or near the grass.
📍Check out the map to see the parking and viewing locations!
⚠️Safety First: Visit our website at hersheyhistory.org for event details and crucial rail safety recommendations, and at Pennsylvania Operation Lifesaver Inc.

Don't miss your chance to witness a true American legend in motion. See you there! 🙌👇

06/15/2026

On this day in history, June 15, 1969, the last auto race was held at Hershey Stadium Speedway for that year. The 1/4-mile flat paved oval track officially debuted on May 11, 1939, as the brainchild of Milton S. Hershey. The final time midget car racing returned to the stadium was in 1982-1983. Racing fans, stop by the museum to check out a temporary exhibit on the hey-days of racing in our town. Lots of great memorabilia! 🏎️🏁 Shop at the museum’s gift shop for cool Razers Edge Gear—Hershey Stadium Speedway T-shirts and caps.

06/15/2026

Hershey History Center had a table at Market on Chocolate this past Saturday. We hope you stopped to by to visit, and had fun with our Viewfinders and stereoscopes!😊

Step back in time and see Hershey through a historical lens with the Hershey History Center

Stop by to explore fascinating artifacts, uncover stories from our community's past, and learn about upcoming programs, events, and membership opportunities.

History is closer than you think—come discover what makes Hershey's story so sweet.

06/14/2026

Welcome to Button Loni & Co. We are excited that you will be open at Makers Museum today!!

06/12/2026

Wednesday, June 17 | 6pm - 7:30pm. Hershey History Center hosts an in- person program presented by Eric Schubert on William (Wilbur) Miller Barbour (1908–1957), a pioneering Pennsylvania human rights leader whose activism helped define mid-20th-century civil rights goals.

If you would like to view the program online, please register for a link to live stream at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/an-unsung-hero-of-civil-rights-the-legacy-of-w-miller-barbour

06/11/2026

Enjoy this splendid photo of the Hershey Chocolate Offices and Visitors Center, captioned as the “Office Force” of the Hershey Chocolate Co. of 1911, standing in front of the three Office Buildings.

Seated in the Maxwell Touring Car are Mr. and Mrs. Charles V. Glynn. Mr Glynn, a Swede, who was a plant machinist. (Left to right standing) - Ezra F. Hershey, Mr Wick - credit manager, George H. Eppley - superintendent, Mr. Wiestling - driver, first row on truck - Cyrus Leslie, George Hench, William Curtis, Raymond Etchberger - second row - Leon Mumper, Beatrice Zeiters, X, Pearl Habbyshaw, Bertie Grove, Becky Brendel (in veiled hat), Mr. Reynolds - assistant to Mr. Wick, and a child, Miss Lephart, Elizabeth Ream, Harriet Krause, Tillie Davis (in black hat), Olive Brendel, X, Florence Longfried top row - Clarence Jones, Edgar Jones, William Long, John Yorty, Robert Marquart, X, Dora Long, Elizabeth Grove, Edgar Garman (at post) Elizabeth Mumma, Anna Baseshore.

Any thoughts on what the purpose might have been for the gathering? Company picnic, perhaps? Leave us a comment.

🎞️If you would to see more photos of early Hershey, please explore the Hershey History Center’s online photo archive at https://hersheyhistory.pastperfectonline.com