![]() ![]() There’s also an interesting exhibit about the infamous chocolate kisses - Hershey was one of the first people to capitalize on wrapping chocolate confections separately. The exhibits include photos, factory videos, storefronts, chocolate promotions and a look at the Hershey products over the years. Upstairs exhibits detail the history of the chocolate brand from its humble beginnings in a Philadelphia chocolate shop near the 1876 Centennial Exposition. The exhibit walks visitors through Hershey, Cuba with all its public spaces and clubs - including the social club, sports club, dance pavilion, golf course, theater and baseball team. When sugar was hard to come by in the states during WWII, Hershey constructed his own sugar mill in Cuba, and - like in the US - built an attractive factory town nearby. The first floor houses a comprehensive exhibit on Hershey’s Cuban heyday, in the factory town Milton created on the island nation. There’s barrier-free access throughout the galleries, and plenty of room to maneuver even a large wheelchair around the exhibits. There’s also a wheelchair available for loan at the front desk. Accessible restrooms are located on the main level, and there’s elevator access up to the second floor. Inside there’s good pathway access to the ticket desk, museum shop and Pantry. There’s level access to the building, which is equipped with automatic doors. There’s accessible parking in the adjacent garage, which is just a short level walk from the front entrance. The Man and His Vision Replica chocolate shop at The Hershey Storyįor a good primer on Milton Hershey, his vision and his chocolate business, make sure The Hershey Story ( /) is the first stop on your itinerary. Check the park calendar at and plan your visit accordingly. Best bet is to visit on weekdays during the fall when the theme park is closed, when it’s easy to dodge the peak season crowds and long lines. That said it’s still possible to catch a nostalgic glimpse of the old town. Hersheypark has grown from the small original community park with a bandstand and merry-go-round, to a full scale theme park. Today Hershey’s legacy continues to nurture children and prepare them for adulthood. Originally a school for orphaned boys, it later became the Milton Hershey School in 1951, and then went coed in 1976. Hershey’s world travels also influenced the town’s design, and he even incorporated some Mediterranean elements in his visionary project.Īdditionally, the Hershey Industrial School was established by the chocolatier in 1909. Additionally many of the public buildings - including the community center, theater, sports arena and stadium - were constructed during the Great Depression as part of Milton Hershey’s personal campaign to provide jobs for the unemployed. Milton provided social diversions as well, including parks and recreational opportunities. Unlike other factory towns of the era, the town of Hershey lacked the dreary row homes, and instead boasted tree-lined streets with comfortable brick houses and tidy front yards. He chose the Pennsylvania location because it contained four essential resources - water, workers, a railroad and milk. ![]() Hershey’s vision was similar to his English counterpart’s, in that he wanted a place where his workers - and his factory - would thrive. Milton Hershey’s model industrial community was patterned after Bournville - an English village that was developed by Cadbury, in order to elevate their workers living conditions. And even though a theme park now dots the horizon, it’s still possible for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to get a taste - literally and figuratively - of Milton S. That was back in 1905 and since then the Hershey empire, and the town, have expanded exponentially. His premise was simple - he wanted a pleasant place for his factory workers to live, because happy employees were productive employees. Located just east of Pennsylvania’s capital city, the purpose-built town of Hershey was created by namesake chocolatier Milton S. ![]()
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