I was pleasantly surprised on my last trip to Hershey, PA, to hear all about the rich history of the town and how Milton Hershey built more than an empire – he was a visionary who built a community, which has a solid foundation on strong moral standards and the belief in the human value.
By the age of 26, Milton Snavely Hershey was penniless. With two failed businesses behind him, he was an unlikely candidate for success. Yet Mr. Hershey, a man with steadfast convictions and an insatiable curiosity, turned his story from rags to riches by persevering, eventually selling his caramel company for $1 million to devote all his energies to making chocolate.
It was fascinating to hear about his determination and success through the depression, to make Hershey a prosperous place and how his wife carried their legacy by founding the school which stands to this day and is supported by the Hershey Trust.
The school helps under-privileged local children to this date and hotels and businesses associated with the Hershey Trust donate a portion of their profit to ensure that the school continues to carry on the Hershey’s legacy!
The whole story is a true testament to entrepreneurship and deep compassion to others shown in the form of giving back to a community, which helped the Hersheys build the empire!
I highly recommend the Trolley tour, which not only tells you this story but also shows you how the town was built and how Hershey became what it is today!
Of Course all through the tour we have a chance to sample the delicious Hershey Hospitality!
When visiting Hershey, I also recommend staying at the Hershey Lodge –
at the The Hotel Hershey!
They are statements of tradition meeting fun and updated modern lodging accommodations. I will be sharing a review of the Hershey Lodge soon here on the blog, stay tuned!
For More Information on the Hershey Trolley Tours, click HERE.
That old town feel combined with great lodging options and amazing attractions like the HersheyPark, Chocolate World and so much more, make Hershey a family must visit on your next vacation!
Have you ever experienced Hershey? Let us know what you think, as usual, give us a Trendy Shout!
I have only been once to Hershey Park! It was cold so a lot of rides were closed but we LOVED it. Can’t wait to go back now that we’ve expanded our family! I also didn’t know about Mr. Hershey’s story, that’s pretty amazing!
i absolutely loved going to Hershey Park as a kid. Our school would take us almost every year. Sadly, I never took my kids. I’m going to have to change that and try to go sometime this summer.
I went to hershey park when I was a little go and NEED to go back ! My daughter LOVES chocolate so It’ll be a dream come true
The Hershey Lodge is amazing
Now this looks like a great place to visit! I am pretty sure the kids would have a blast with a trip to Hersey! Bucket list!
It’s awesome that you got to experience all of this! I like that it sort of takes you back in time and that you get to learn about the history of the company too.
We went to Hershey PA a couple of years ago and we had so much fun. There are so many cool facts to learn about that beautiful place.
This is so inspiring that he began so humbly and built this empire. The Hershey brand is surely one of the biggest right now.
I honestly had no idea about the history behind this popular chocolatier! Fascinating post, this!
I remember you saying on FB you were going on a trip to Hershey Lodge. Really nice and now
i am inspired to travel and spend a weekend there now!
This sounds like a very interesting tour! I hope we can do the tour one day.
That looks like a wonderful, not to mention delicious, place to visit! It’s awesome learning the history!
Se manifique views and vibes! great photo journal and description, makes me wanna hop on a plane right now. love hershey
Looks like fun. We love Herseys, so why not the town!
Thank you for sharing Hersheys back story. I love how he was able to turn around his life with one last shot. That is awesome that he opened the school to help underprivileged children.
I’ve always wanted to visit Hershey! Maybe someday I will, but in the mean time, I love reading about posts like this.
We’ve never experienced Hershey yet, but it sure is on our bucket list not only because we love chocolates, but also because we’ve never been to that area yet. Can’t wait to explore!
Hershey has been part of anyone’s childhood, me and my kids included and it would be so nice to be able to go here and just learn more about the beloved brand. I’m sure the kids will love it here as well.
I would love to go on vacation here and just learn more about Hershey and the history of the company. It’s nice that there are plenty of things to do here as well.
I had no idea this was a thing…I’m so clueless, sometimes. The history you shared is inspiring! Thanks for the lesson.
Hershey Park has been on my radar for quite some time now. I would love to go and visit, it seems like such a fun place to go.
I would love to visit Hershey and learn more about its history. I absolutely love the chocolate.
This looks like a great family day out. Glad to see you all enjoyed yourselves.
Omg its so quaint!
I remember my trips here when I was younger. Definitely a place to go if your a chocoholic
This is my kind of family fun. Chocolate and travel in one – yes please!
This place looks amazing! I would love to visit. Looks like you had a wonderful time!
That’s why I really like traveling! Yay! This is so awesome place to visit. I wish I could go there someday.
I love to learn the history of places. I will have to try to make it to Hershey to check it out for myself.
Hershey is such a fun place for the whole family. I’ve never been there, but it sounds like an amazing place. I would love to bring my family there one day.
I love Hershey! It’s such a fun mix of a lot of activities and has the “small town” feel as well.
I would love to visit some day. It looks like you had a fantastic time.
I’ve never been before. Looks like there are lots of sights to see and it would be great for the whole family.
Hershey sounds like a fantastic place to explore. I am hoping to be in that area this summer. The chocolate is the best.
It was great to read about the history behind Hershey, and who doesn’t love learning about chocolate?!? Now I’m even more motivated to visit!
You just can’t beat a travel plan involving chocolate! My husband works for another chocolate company so I could tell you about that all day long but it was nice to learn more about Hershey and that lodge looks like a very nice place to stay!
I have never been to Hershey, but I have always wanted to. I know my kids would have a blast!
I love chocolate, so I’d LOVE to check this place out. I know I’d enjoy it. A chocolate world sounds fabulous.
This really is a fun place to visit. I like that there is so much history to Hershey, PA. Milton Hershey really did create something big!
I love that Hershey had to fight and work so hard to make his company (companies) successful. It gives me hope for my own business potential, and encouragement to stick with it!
I’ll have to get up there sometime to tour the area.
Wow, I had no idea about the extensive Hershey history! I would love to visit someday and gorge on all things chocolate.
This looks like it would be such fun. I’m going to seriously need to rethink my vacation plans.
This looks like such a fun place to visit! I hope to head here soon with my family!
This looks like a fun trip. I would love to go on a Hersey’s trip. I love chocolate sooo much. <3
It has probably been about 20 years since I took a trip to Hershey PA but I still remember my visit. I’ll have to plan a trip there next year and stay at the Hotel Hershey, it looks beautiful.
I have never been to Hershey but I have heard all good things about it. I mean it’s chocolate how can it be wrong. I definitely need to go take a vacation here.
My husband and I visited Hershey on our cross country trip and loved it. It was the middle of winter so a lot of tourist sites were shut. You’ve inspired me to pack up the grandkids and make that trip to Hershey again but in the summer. They will love it!
Hershey looks like such a fun town. Besides, how can a town that revolves around a candy be anything but fun and historical?
Hershey Park is the best! We’ve been there several times, and it’s always so much fun. I mean, come on, a CHOCOLATE theme park? Yes, please.
Hershey has been on my bucket list for years. I’m a huge fan of the candy and have never been to Hershey or Hershey Park, I definitely want to do both some day!
Hershey is one of my favorite places to visit. From the chocolate scent in the air, to the great town, we love it.
This looks like an amazing (and yummy) place to visit. Maybe we can take a trip there over the summer.
We’ve been to Hershey Park several times. It’s always a good time with the fam. You go and fill yourself with fun, old school tradition, and CHOCOLATE!
Hershey Park is the best! What could be better than a theme park full of rides AND Hershey chocolate. Nothing. The answer is nothing.
Wow I never knew so much about Hershey’s-that’s really interesting and inspiring. Never give up eh? I guess then my husband is doing a public service by eating his daily Hershey bar? Helping keep those schools going! ;P
believe it or not, I have always wanted to go there! I heard it is amamzing! Looks like you enjoyed your time!
Hershey is such a fun place! We went there last summer and kids still are talking about ow much fun they had
What a great story. I love learning about history and that tour sounds fun. The hotel is enormous!
Oooh, perfect timing – I’m just planning my East Coast trip for next summer! Gonna visit DC and perhaps we’ll make a return (for me) trip to Hershey! My kids don’t believe me that it’s real!