About Us
Milton Hershey School History
Milton Hershey School began as a dream and vision shared by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine (Kitty). The Hersheys loved children but were unable to have their own. Instead, they decided to use their wealth to create a home and school for orphaned boys. The history of Milton Hershey School dates back to its founding on Nov. 15, 1909.
A Gift to Change the World
The Hersheys’ original idea for a school has grown since 1909. While our mission remains the same, curriculum and programs at MHS have evolved to meet the changing needs of lower-income families. In 2020, we expanded our impact when we announced the creation of Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, a subsidiary of MHS focused on early education. See where it all started.
Mr. & Mrs. Hershey
Milton and Catherine Hershey each had storied lives filled with both personal and professional accomplishments. Trace their dedication to community from their childhoods to the creation of The Hershey Industrial School.
Explore Founders Hall
Drag to see a 360-degree view of Milton Hershey School Founders Hall. Then, click to engage with interactive content.
A Mother’s Love and Inspiration
The value of hard work and perseverance was instilled in Mr. Hershey by his mother, Fanny. She, like all parents, wanted more for her son than she believed she could provide.
Maintaining Memories
The school history department maintains MHS artifacts and records, hosts exhibits, and provides research assistance. They also accept artifact donations to preserve MHS history.
Thought Leadership
Milton Hershey was the original thought leader of Milton Hershey School. To carry out his vision and mission, MHS hires industry leaders to best serve our students so they can break the cycle of poverty.
Source: https://www.mhskids.org/about/history/