Museum exhibits
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Witness our unique heritage come to life at the Hershey History Center. Explore exhibits chronicling the community built on chocolate, the military heroes that became world renowned, and the legendary hockey franchise that calls our town home.
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Step back in time as you learn how our community's past has shaped our lives today. Children can discover interactive displays while guests experience a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, and archives defining our local narrative. ​
We invite you to be our guest - visit, explore, and discover how the Hershey History Center (HHC) is making History Happen Here.
Welcome!
Preservation Events Sponsorship Opportunities
Preservation Events Sponsorship opportunities
​Fall Into History
You are cordially invited to join us for the Hershey History Center’s 28th Annual celebration of Preservation in Progress. We've planned three unique events to spark the interest of every generation. This year’s Preservation events will feature our annual tour, a special evening at the History Center Museum, A Night at the Museum, our popular La Festa Italiana, and a wrap up with Trains at the Tracks - a family fun event. We’re celebrating what we do best in our own backyard: celebrating the community, and the preservation of... PLACES. PEOPLE. PIECES of history.
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Thank you to our sponsors and donors.
Please consider sponsoring our Preservation Events. Benefits to sponsorship include reserved tickets, passes to Trains at the Tracks, event sponsor identification, corporate link on our website and all electronic communications, and full-color, digital ad, displayed at all preservation events. (Subject to sponsorship level.)
Vicki Caloiero is the event host
Saturday, October 18 | 3pm/6pm
La Festa Italiana is HHC’s annual heritage festival, when we celebrate the families, businesses, and places that represent the rich history of Hershey’s Italian community. Guests can register for a cooking class with Vicki Caloiero, or just dinner, or both. We hope you will gather friends and family to celebrate this fun-filled event with us. Your support helps the museum to continue its mission to preserve local history; one which values our treasured Italian American heritage. Read about La Festa Italiana.
La Festa Italiana
Model trains show for the family
Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 | 10am to 4pm
All aboard!! Join us for a fall harvest themed event at the Hershey History Center's 5th Annual Trains at the Tracks! This is a family fun event of interactive model trains, and multiple and unique model train layout. There will be entertainment, a self-propelled rail car (crank train) to ride, kids' activities, rail safety education, and food trucks. Read about the participating organizers, entertainment, kids' activities, and food trucks.
Trains at the Tracks
WW II and Hershey: Continued Relevance after 80 Years
WW2 and Hershey: Continued Relevance after 80 Years
Thursday, November 13| 6pm to 7pm
Presented by Professor Ted Herman
World War II was the defining moment of the 20th century. It was the greatest triumph and tragedy in world history, and the men and women of Hershey played their part in the event that changed the fabric of American Culture. Come learn about the service and sacrifice of those at home and abroad, through the men and women who served. Registration is not required. Everyone is welcome.
Holiday model train show for the family
Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 29
All aboard for the 2025 Holiday Train Show. This is an exciting display that's fun for the whole family. Volunteers set up, bring track, engines, junctions, scenery, rolling stock, and more. Access to the Holiday Train Show, and the Chocolate Town Special, is included with museum entrance.
Extended opening hours: Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 29.
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY: 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Last train admission is at 3:45 pm and the display closes promptly at 4:00pm.
Holiday Train Show
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Online Photo Archive
The Hershey History Center has a collection of approximately 30,000 historic photos. We are continuously publishing updates to the collection for online searching, viewing and purchasing. Currently, there are close to 1000 photos to view in the database with more added regularly. If you are interested in purchasing a photo from the Archive, please email: photos@hersheyhistory.org
Hershey Press Building
Hershey Press Building
Photos slideshow of historic places and people in Hershey
Hover on a photo to show the Pause and Play buttons to stop the slideshow for a closer look.
Hershey History Center Connections
Ride
Book your e-bike adventure with Hershey e-Tours. First stop is to tour the Hershey History Center.
Tour
Book a food and shopping tour visiting local restaurants & unique shops. Trolley goes from the museum.
Hershey E-Tours. Stay Apparel. YOKL Food Tours
OTHER MUSEUMS OF INTEREST
AACA Library & Research Center
Gettysburg National Military Park
Hummelstown Historical Society
Lebanon County Historical Society
Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
our mission:
interpret
PRESERVE
PROMOTE
the history of Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Programs and services provided in part by funding through the PA Historical & Museum Commission
