The Hershey Educational and Cultural Center moves its offices to the Hershey Theatre.
Hershey Foods Corporation achieves $1 billion in annual sales for the first time.
Big Block introduced. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in January 1980.]
Kenneth V. Hatt is elected President and Chief Operating Officer of HERCO.
Edward R. Book is elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of HERCO.
Hershey National Bank is converted from a National Banking Association to a State chartered institution and will be known as the Hershey Bank.
Hershey Electric Company merges with Pennsylvania Power & Light Company.
HERCO Inc registers Hershey Entertainment & Resort Company as a fictitious name. It continues to operate publicly as HERCO Inc.
Hershey Plaza, a $8 million ten-story apartment building for the elderly, opens for tenants.
Soccer debuts in Hersheypark Stadium.
Hershey Country Club hosts the Lady Keystone Open for the first time.
All natural Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips introduced.
HERCO announces the formation of new Planning/Engineering/Construction Division (PEC). [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in July 1978.]
Hershey Foods Corporation becomes sole sponsor of Hershey’s National Track and Field Youth Program. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in August 1978.]
Hershey Chocolate Company is the new name given to Hershey Foods Corporation’s chocolate and confectionery division.
John M. Nickler is appointed first Director of Parks and Recreation for Derry Township.
Reese’s Pieces introduced.
Hershey Foods Corporation announces its intention to be the major supporter of the Lady Keystone Open, and LPGA golf tournament.
Whatchamacallit introduced.
8-ounce Hershey’s Giant Kiss introduced. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in December 1978.]
Cocoa Avenue Plaza, valued at $1.4 million, is presented to Derry Township by The Hershey Recreation Center.
Hershey Foods Corporation acquires Skinner Macaroni Company, Omaha, Nebraska.
Hershey Foods Corporation acquires a 40 percent interest in Codipra and Petybon, joint venture companies with with S.A. Industrias Reunidas F. Matarazzo in Brazil to manufacture, sell, and distribute a variety of food and food related products.
Hershey Foods Corporation announces the purchase of Hummingbird – Hershey Ltd., a cocoa farm in Belize (formerly British Honduras).
The mosaic from the Hershey Creamery is moved to Chocolate World.
“Pennsylvania, U.S.A.” opens at Hershey Theatre, produced by The M.S. Hershey Foundation. After a successful opening, it becomes a victim of the “Three Mile Island Incident”.
Accident at Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant.
Hersheypark Arena serves as an evacuation center by about 150 people during the Three Mile Island nuclear emergency. (Serves as an evacuation center until March 30, 1979)
Hershey Foods Corporation purchases High Point Mansion. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in March 1977.]
First eight girls are enrolled in Milton Hershey School.
Derry Township’s $11 million sewage treatment plant begins operation.
Hershey Foods Corporation sells the real estate and operating equipment of L.D. Properties Corporation to Tenneco West, Inc. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in June 1977.]
Reese’s Peanut Butter Baking Chips introduced.
Hotel Hershey opens its 100 room wing. The wing also includes an indoor swimming pool and fitness center.
Golden Almond Bar introduced.
Hershey Foods Corporation acquires Y & S Candies, Inc., maker of licorice and licorice-type products.
Hershey Museum of American Life celebrates its 40th birthday. Eliza Harrison is appointed curator.
HERCO announces plans to terminate its management contract with Hotel Brunswick. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in February 1978.]
Hershey Foods Corporation purchases an additional 4% of AB Marabou (increases Hershey Foods’ ownership of Marabou to 20% of the voting shares).
Hotel Hershey’s first class of culinary apprentices graduate on March 20th and March 21st.
Rolo production begins in main Hershey Plant.
Hershey Foods acquires Procino-Rossi Corporation, a pasta manufacturer in Auburn, New York. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in April 1978.]
Chocolate World announces plans for a partial renovation of Hershey’s Chocolate World to include several new exhibits and gift shops with a nostalgic theme.
High Point becomes Hershey Foods Corporate Headquarters following a $3 million renovation.
First annual 10K “Chocolate Chase”. The run benefits pediatric liver abnormalties and nutrition studies at Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
Hersheypark’s North America themed ZooAmerica premieres on Opening Day.
Francine Neff, former Treasurer of the United States, is the first woman to be elected to Hershey Foods Board of Directors.
Milton Hershey School names two brothers, Dr. K.Thomas Davies ’53 and Dr. Richard W. Davies ’54, as Alumni of the Year.
Hershey High School’s new athletic field is named “Hostetter Athletic Field” in honor of Dr. H.H. Hostetter’s outstanding service to the schools.
Hershey Estates breaks ground for a new 130 guest room expansion at the Hershey Motor Lodge and Convention Center. Included is the Lodge’s first indoor pool. Total capacity 460 rooms.
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center awards outpatient addition construction contracts (4.8 million dollars).
Hurricane “Eloise” flood.
Hershey Bicentennial Tree Planting Ceremony.
Founders Day Program opens Milton Hershey School’s Bicentennial Year observance. Lt. Governor Ernest P. Kline presents a tribute to the Founders. Also marks first appearance of the Milton Hershey School Bicentennial Color Guard.
Hershey Foods discontinues operation of Portion Control Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary.
William E. Dearden is promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Hershey Foods Corporation.
Hershey Estates agrees to manage the Lancaster Hilton Inn. The Inn is renamed “Hotel Brunswick”, its former name.
Hershey Estates, founded by Milton S. Hershey in 1927, announces a new name: HERCO Inc.
A community wide Bicentennial Worship Service is held in Founders Hall.
National Governor’s Conference is held in Hershey (July 4-7, 1976) for the third time. State Dinner is held in Founders Hall.
Reese’s Crunchy introduced.
Land use plan for the Hershey Interests is completed by Wallace, McHarg, Roberts, and Todd. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in September 1976.]
Pennsylvania Power & Light Company purchases Hershey Electric Company for $4 million.
HERCO, Inc. purchases Sheraton Picasso Inn and Resort; renames it “Pocono Hershey Resort”.
Milton Hershey School Deed of Trust is modified by Court Order. New enrollment policy permits boys and girls who are not receiving adequate care from one of their natural parents to be eligible for admission.
HERCO sells the Hershey Water Company to American Waterworks Company, Inc.
Edward Russek, M.D. becomes the first Milton Hershey School graduate to join the Milton S. Hershey Medical School faculty.
Hershey Foods Corporation acquires 17.1 percent equity in AB Marabou, a leading Scandinavian Confectionery Company located in Sundyberg, Sweden. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in February 1977.]
Fifteen cent chocolate bar replaces ten cent bar as the Hershey Chocolate standard bar.
Grand opening held for $8 million Hershey Convention Center, located at the Hershey Lodge. Center can accommodate 2,200 people. The Lodge’s name is changed to Hershey Motor Lodge and Convention Center.
Hershey Information Center, located in former student home Broad Acres, opens.
Edward Russek is the first Milton Hershey School graduate to graduate from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
New Derry Township Building is dedicated. Building is located at 235 Hockersville Road and West Areba. (Cost: $300,000).
John M. Aichele is named Vice-President of Business Affairs, Milton Hershey School.
Dr. Richard Rudisill is named Vice-President Headmaster, Milton Hershey School.
Arthur R. Whiteman, 38th boy enrolled at Milton Hershey School, retires with 50 years of service.
James E. Bobb, President and Chairman of the Board of Hershey Estates, retires after 47 years of service.
Edward R. Book is named Chairman of the Board and President of Hershey Estates.
Kenneth V. Hatt is elected Executive Vice President of Hershey Estates.
Hershey Foods acquires interest in Chadler Industrial de Bahia, a chocolate processor of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in October 1974.]
Milton Hershey School Alumni Memorial Grove is dedicated during Alumni Weekends celebrations.
$3.6 million Basic Sciences/Cancer Research Wing of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is dedicated.
John H. Weigel, III is appointed the first Derry Township Manager.
Dark Chocolate flavored Baking Chips introduced; replaces Semi-Sweet Baking Chips.
Derry Presbyterian Church observes 250th Anniversary.
Hershey Museum officially changes its name to "Hershey Museum of American Life". [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1975.]
Delmonico Foods merges with San Giorgio Macaroni, Inc.
Hershey National Bank opens Heritage Office, located at Cocoa Avenue and Fishburn Road.
Milton Hershey School completes remodeling of its Health Center.
Hurricane Agnes floods much of Hershey including Milton Hershey School land, student homes, and dairies; Hersheypark, Hershey Estates golf courses and Hershey Chocolate Factory. Water is supplied to the School and Community from well at Founders Hall.
Hershey Plant closes for 11 days due to severe flood caused by Hurricane Agnes.
William E. Dearden is elected "Dean" of Confectionery Industry at 27th Annual Convention of National Candy Wholesalers Association. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in July 1972.]
NIH awards $2 million grant for construction of Basic Science/Cancer Research Wing.
Catherine Hall is designated a Demonstration School for President’s Council on Physical Fitness. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in August 1972.]
Hershey Chocolate factory has its 10,000,000th visitor.
Hershey chapter of the American Association of University Women is organized.
Reese Plant expands with a 200,000 square feet addition. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in November 1972.]
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center breaks ground for a $3 million Basic Science/Cancer Research wing.
Hershey Chocolate licenses the right to market After Eight chocolate dinner mints in the United States from Rowntree Mackintosh. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in January 1973.]
Kit Kat Bar production begins in expanded Reese factory.