How I wish I lived in Pennsylvania! Recently, there was a casting call (of all ages) for extras for the filming of the movie "Hershey" about Milton S. Hershey. If you are reading this from a country other than the USA, you might know about Hershey chocolate, but do you know the story behind The Hershey Company? It is fascinating and inspiring...
Milton Snavely Hershey was born on September 13, 1857, in Derry Township, Pennsylvania. His education only extended to 4th grade. Apprenticed to a confectioner at the age of 14, he spent four years learning the trade. He started several businesses that were not successful. Did that stop him? No! He kept at it, and he developed caramels using fresh milk. This company, The Lancaster Caramel Company was a success! In 1900, he sold this company to found The Hershey Company and went about making chocolate. He purchased land near the place of his birth in Pennsylvania and developed the company town of Hershey. (A side note here, when I was a little girl, my Daddy loved telling me that when he drove through the town of Hershey, he was thrilled to smell the chocolate. I have had others tell me that this is true and it is still true today!)
Milton Hershey developed milk chocolate that Americans could afford. He created the Hershey Kiss in 1907. (And I have read that he named it himself. Is that not just the sweetest thing to learn?) He was very happily married to Catherine (Kitty) and what a wonderful love story they have for us to know! You may read more just here.
Sadly, the couple were unable to have children. Since they both had a great love for children, they founded a school in 1909, The Hershey Industrial School. In 1915, his beloved Kitty died. (I have read that he kept a photo of her in his wallet for his entire life.) In 1918, Milton Hershey transferred the majority of his assets to The Milton Hershey School Trust.
"One is only happy in proportion as he makes others feel happy and only useful as he contributes his influences for the finer callings in life".
Milton Hershey
The film about Milton Hershey and his wife, Kitty should be released in 2026. You know I am looking forward to it! A movie about an inspiring couple! Of course, we will all learn much more about all that Milton Hershey did from the film. I think the whole world could use that.
And I think I will have some chocolate! Thank you, Milton Hershey!
"His deeds are his monument. His life is our inspiration". (On plaque beside his monument at The Hershey School.)
AND he opened the Hershey Gardens in 1937, so I think some nice views of gardens and flowers will be my way to honor him.
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This is so interesting! I didn't know any of these things. I have to say that his middle name is not one I would choose. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking forward to the movie.
Thank you! You know I can't wait until the movie comes out. His middle name is from his mother, it was her maiden name.
DeleteI'd heard of the story. We had a Board member from Hershey, Pa. of the organization I worked for and he'd always bring us boxes of the gold Hershey candy! Linda in Kansas
ReplyDelete"Oh no, here comes someone with boxes of chocolates", said NO ONE EVER! LOL! Bet you will be a fan of this film too,
DeleteShould be a good movie!
ReplyDeleteIt is by the same director of "Mean Girls" and I thought that was a good movie.
DeleteI can not remember why, but months ago I read the wikipedia article about Milton Hershey. Like Mari, I find his middle name somewhat odd.
ReplyDeleteThe movie sounds like one I would enjoy, too.
His middle name is from his mother, it was her maiden name and honestly, I hope they mention her in that film. I might have to a post about her for Mother's Day!
DeleteEvery woman should have a husband like Hershey--all the chocolate you can eat and money too.
ReplyDeleteOh yes and do you know that he gave her fresh flowers every single day, even they were vacationing in Europe? That was the basis for Hershey Gardens, the roses he had planted for her.
DeleteI knew some of the history of Hershey - and I love chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI also think your flowers are fantastic.
Chocolate and flowers, you know I agree!
DeleteI love Hershey chocolates! That would be a great place to visit!
ReplyDeleteIt truly would be such a great place to visit! Looks like you can get married in Hershey Gardens, doesn't that sound wonderful?
DeleteOur very own Willie Wonk. And I'm guessing his middle name is to honor an ancestral family. He and his wife were good for our country.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely our very own Willie Wonka but a REAL person, not fiction! And you are correct, his mother was Fanny Snavely and just reading about her, I am filled with admiration for her. We need more films about the positive influence from good people like Milton and Kitty Hershey!
DeleteI know the name but it's not a chocolate I've tasted. I like dark chocolate or white chocolate but not milk chocolate funnily enough. Talking of romance I had a handful of romantic type films for several years sitting in my collection that I'd never watched until recently including The Greatest Showman, The Notebook, The Time Traveller's Wife, and Just go with it... and surprisingly I liked them all. Must be going soft in my old age.
ReplyDeleteGuess what, I love all chocolate! Since I am American, I love chocolate here but I love it in the UK also! Milton Hershey was an extraordinary man, I hope they do a good job with the film.You have made me think of one of my favorite films, "The Apartment" with Jack Lemmon. It is excellent! It's an old film from 1960. I saw it first as a teenager. Makes me appreciate my good taste! Also, there was a good film with Christopher Reeve where they went back in time. "Somewhere In Time". It was filmed on Mackinaw Island in Michigan, a fascinating place!
DeleteThank you for the lesson! All I knew was he founded the company and the town, it's great to know he was such a philanthropist and all around good person.
ReplyDeleteI could have told you more about him but I'm hoping all his good works will be covered in the film. If they don't, I will let you know!
DeleteI only tried Hershey chocolate once but can't say I'm a fan. The film sounds interesting though.
ReplyDeleteYou will love Milton Hershey and his wife, Kitty. I promise you will! Wish we had more like them now, wealthy people who give back to the world.
DeleteWE toured the factory many many years ago when you still could.
ReplyDeleteI am not a huge chocolate fan but I do like a kiss now and then lol.
Cathy
Lucky you! Wish I could tour a chocolate factory, especially Hershey! Tee hee, you liking a kiss now and then. I'm an old lady now so I can't eat too many sweets but I can have chocolate sometimes. xx Kiss, kiss!!
DeleteBeautiful photos. I do like Hershey chocolate. Your blog header is lovely! Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWarm greetings to you! Thanks very much for your comment from Montreal. Merci beaucoup! You have a lovely blog yourself, I am your newest follower. Stay cool! 😎
DeleteHello Kay, I’m not back to blogging yet. I just returned from that 3 week trip to Japan and have to go off on another trip to Chicago. I’ll be back in June. Hopefully.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Hershey several times actually since it was a great place to stop when we were driving to Maryland from Illinois to visit our son and family. And you bet I ate a lot of Hershey chocolates when I was growing up. I shall go and see that movie when it comes up.
Kay! Lovely to see your comment! So great you and Art are able to travel. Can't wait to hear about your adventures.xx
ReplyDeletewhat a great post about hershey. we always took our boys there when they were younger and have recently talked about going just the hubs and i!! we always stay at the hotel hershey and enjoy the gardens and zoo america. we often visit during christmas too, to see the drive thru light display!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, Debbie! It sounds wonderful and just think how much the folks from Hershey will love that film, and I daresay the whole state of Pennsylvania. Brotherly love, indeed! Hotel Hershey. I wonder if they put Hershey's kisses on the pillows...I bet Milton Hershey would have!
Deletethey do!! and you get a hershey bar when you check in...it's all very wonderful!!
DeleteThat is great to know! And thanks for very much for telling me! x
DeleteI quite often see Hershey chocolate mentioned when I visit US blogs.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the flowers on this post.
Wishing you happy May days.
All the best Jan
Happy May Days to you, Jan! I can't eat that many sweets nowadays but a chocolate every now and then is very welcome. Lovely to see your comment here. Hope you are well. x
DeleteI can't wait to see the movie. Hershey Kisses are one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteHey John! Love the idea of film about someone who made money but ended up giving lots of it away. Hershey's kisses are gluten free and peanut free! Important for those who are sensitive.
DeleteI hadn't heard of that chocolate until a couple of days ago. Should be interesting the movie.
ReplyDeleteHello Margaret! So nice to see a comment from Down Under! I really love chocolate from all corners of the world but Hershey made chocolate affordable for Americans and therefore, he holds a special place in my heart.
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