He built his factory here, near his childhood home, in the town originally named Derry Church, because there was plenty of fresh milk available from nearby farms. HersheyPark, with its 60-plus rides and attractions, opened in 1907 as a place for Hershey employees to play. Most go on to college. Hershey money also helped build Pennsylvania State University s College of Medicine here. Chocolate perfumes the air.
Free samples are everywhere.
That was the case for the six kids three of us moms followed around Hershey. There are golf, tennis, basketball, bikes and tobogganing and cross-country skiing in winter. We lingered just long enough to make dinner reservations at the elegant but kid-friendly circular dining room. Hershey designed the room so no one would be stuck in a corner with a bad view. The gardens and the zoo, next to HersheyPark, would have to wait.