Cocoa Avenue Plaza is dedicated with a day long series of events. It was built and furnished with Hershey Chocolate Corporation money.
Oyster Bar opens in the Hershey Inn. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in January 1936]
PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in partnership with Derry Township, begins construction on project to realign Cocoa Avenue with with Park Avenue. The project also includes the construction of a new bridge over the railroad tracks, and two pedestrian tunnels. One tunnel will cross Chocolate Avenue and the other will pass under Park Avenue.
Hershey’s Kisses brand chocolates Limited Edition introduced: Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate, Rich Dark Sweet Chocolate
The Chocolate Avenue pedestrian underpass opens.
Hershey Nursery ends residential services.
William F. Simpson Jr. named Chief Executive Officer of Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company. Ted Kleisner, retired CEO, continues to serve on the company’s Board of Directors.
The Hershey Company announced it would make all of its Hershey’s Bliss milk, dark and white chocolates from Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa. Certified cocoa is sourced from farms that have met comprehensive sustainability standards that strive to protect the environment and the safety and well-being of workers, their families and communities.
Hershey Bears Hockey Club inducts inaugural Hall of Fame class. Hall of Fame inductees include: Lloyd S. Blinco; Arthur Fausnacht; Ralph Keller; Willie Marshall; Frank Mathers; Mike Nykoluk; and John B. Sollenberger.
Hershey discontinues sale of Hershey’s semi-sweet and milk chocolate Bon-Bons. Production ceased in December 1984. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in June 1985]
John P. Bilbrey, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, is named interim President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hershey Company. Bilbrey replaces David J. West, President and Chief Executive Officer, who leaves Hershey to accept a position at another company.
The Hershey Company activates 1,092 new photovoltaic solar panels at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Central Pennsylvania’s only electric vehicle charging stations are also unveiled at the attraction. Two charging stations will recharge up to four electronic vehicles. One hundred and eighty-two solar panels were also installed on the roof of the Technical Center.
John P. Bilbrey is named President and Chief Executive Officer of The Hershey Company.
Tropical storm Lee floods much of the community. Derry Township declares a State of Emergency as roads become impassable.
ZooAmerica sustains damage from Tropical Storm Lee. Zoo staff rescues the entire collection of 200 animals, with the exception of two bison and some prairie dogs.
A portion of the original Hershey Chocolate factory located at 19 East Chocolate Avenue is sold to Chocolate Realty DST, a Delaware statutory trust. The Hershey Company will lease the west end of the building back and use it as office space until at least 2041.
Hershey Highmeadow Campground is damaged by Tropical Storm Lee. The campground reopens on September 30, 2011.
The Hershey Company achieves $5 billion in sales for the first time. A commemorative coin is issued.
Hershey Chocolate U.S.A., largest division of Hershey Foods Corporation, achieves $2 billion in annual sales for the first time. A commemorative coin is issued.
Hershey Rose Garden adds a new section of terraced roses below the original beds. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurs sometime between 10/1937 and 5/1938]
Hershey Rose Garden adds additional sections of roses increasing the size of the garden to 6.5 acres. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurs sometime between 10/1938 and 5/1939]
Hershey Botanical Garden opens as an addition to the Hershey Rose Garden, adding 11.5 acres of garden. Planting began in fall of 1942 and includes 58,000 trees, evergreens, perennials and annuals. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurs sometime in May 1944]
Hershey Foods Corporation’s Corporate Administrative Center Offices, (CAC), formerly Community Center Building, officially opens.
Hershey Trust Company is modernized with new entrance doors and changes to teller cages and the enclosure of the atrium to permit the installation of a modern lighting system. The space is also occupied by the Hershey National Bank. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurs sometime in February 1955]
Hershey Foods Corporation achieves $4 billion in sales for the first time. A commemorative coin is issued.
The Hershey Company reaches $6 billion in annual sales. A commemorative coin is issued.
Hershey Foods Corporation reaches $3 billion in annual sales.
Hershey Rose Garden is renamed Hershey Rose Gardens and Arboretum. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred during January-March 1966]
Frank Sinatra performs at Hersheypark Arena. (postponed from March 3, 1994 due to weather).
Milton Hershey authorizes the addition of 11.5 acres to the Hershey Rose Garden to be developed as a botanical garden.
Church of the Brethren hold their triennial convention at the Convention Hall. [Hershey Press, 6/16/1921]
Apollo Male Chorus of Harrisburg performs at Convention Hall. [Hershey Press, 6/16/1921]
Dr. M.G. Brumbaugh, former governor of PA, preacher, educator and lecturer, speaks at the Convention Hall on doctrine of Peace and Disarmament. [Hershey Press, 6/16/1921]
Geraldine Farrar performs concert at Convention Hall on Memorial Day. Farrar was a noted opera singer and silent film star. [Hershey Press, 5/11/1922]
Julia Claussen, prima donna mezzo soprano and Paul Althouse, noted tenor, both of the Metropolitan Opera House perform a joint recital at the Convention Hall on Memorial Day. [Hershey Press, 5/10/1923]
In honor of community’s 20th anniversary, Creatore’s Band and Bethlehem, PA’s Bach Choir perform concerts daily at the Convention Hall. [Hershey Press, 5/3/1923]
Creatore’s Band returns to Hershey to perform a second time this summer at the Convention Hall. The band offers 4 concerts over the two days. [Hershey Press, 8/9/1923]
The 55-voice Sistine Chapel Choir performs at the Convention Hall during its first American tour.[Hershey Press, 9/27/1923]
Church of the Brethren hold their triennial convention at the Convention Hall. [Hershey Press, 6/12/1924]
Paul Whiteman and his orchestra performs in Convention Hall. [Hershey Press, 8/14/1924]
Hershey Senior High School holds its commencement ceremony at the Convention Hall. The venue is chosen because the new Junior-Senior High School is not yet completed and the Park Theatre was already booked. [Hershey Press, 5/425/1925]
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company announces the sale of DUTCH WONDERLAND Family Entertainment Complex to Palace Entertainment.
National distribution of York Peppermint Patties begins. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1975.]
The Hershey Company introduces Reese’s Minis, smaller, unwrapped versions of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
The Hershey Company introduces Hershey’s Drops, bite-sized drops without a candy shell. Flavors include: Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Drops and Hershey’s Cookies ‘n’ Crème Drops.
Hershey Trust Company announces agreement to sell its Private Wealth Management Group to Bryn Mawr Bank Corporation. The acquisition is completed May 27, 2011.
The building located at 10 West Chocolate Avenue, on the southwest corner of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenues, is razed. The building housed various commercial properties such as a restaurant, bank, and dentist office.
Hershey Foods Corporation opens the West Hershey plant. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in February 1993.]
Hershey’s Catholic Mission Church (future St. Joan of Arc) is named St. John’s Chapel.
Ice Breakers Frost sugar-free mints are introduced in Wintercool and Peppermint flavors.
The Hershey Company introduces additions to the Pieces candies line. Modeled after Reese’s Pieces are: Almond Joy Pieces, York Pieces, and Hershey’s Special Dark Pieces.
Hershey holds the first Rose Queen competition. The winner is Renee Silverman, Midland High School . The competition is held in the Hershey Arena.
Hershey’s third conservatory (greenhouse), located along Park Avenue, in the Hershey Zoo, opens. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in March 1914.]
ZooAmerica constructs a new Barn Owl exhibit and a red tail hawk exhibit. The enlarged exhibit will allow more than one bird to be housed and will encourage breeding.
ZooAmerica constructs a new Desert Tortoise exhibit.
ZooAmerica constructs a new porcupine exhibit in the location of the old Snowy Owl exhibit.
ZooAmerica opens a new Elk exhibit, expanding the xoo into a former Trinidad Apartments parking area.
The Hotel Hershey opens Trevi 5, a contemporary Italian restaurant, in the former location of The Fountain Cafe.
Hershey Foods Corporation hires Ogilvy and Mather, a New York advertising agency, to develop its first advertising campaign. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in February 1969.]
Hershey Foods Corporation launches its first media advertising campaign with television commercials for three different products: Milk Chocolate, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Hershey’s Instant chocolate milk mix. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1970.]
The Hershey Company opens a new retail outlet, Hershey’s Chocolate World Singapore. The venue is located in Sentosa Resorts World at the entrance of Universal Studios Singapore theme park. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in May 2010.]
The Butterfly House at Hershey Gardens opens. The original Butterfly House structure was created using a portion of the Hershey Estates Greenhouse, built in 1930. This is replaced and a new steel and mesh structure is erected during the winter of 2009-2010.
Hershey Museum presents Christkindlmarkt, a German style holiday market, for the first time. (Event is held annually through 2004 and a small version of the market is held in 2005)
Hershey Chocolate World opens Hershey’s Create Your Own Candy Bar. The new attraction is an interactive, hands-on experience that allows guests to select their own candy bar ingredients, see equipment in operation, and design packing for their custom chocolate candy bar.
Hershey Bears win their 11th Calder Cup Chamionship under the leadership of coach Mark French. Left winger Chris Bourque is named Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs. It is the team’s first Calder Cup victory in the Giant Center.
The Hershey Company announces Retail Is Detail L.L.C. has been awarded the franchise rights of Hershey’s Chocolate World in the Middle East and South East Asia. The first Middle East store will open in The Dubai Mall.
Wally Byam Caravan Club holds its International Rally in Hershey. Approximately 900 trailers and 3000 people attend the Rally. The Rally is held in the fields north of Hershey Park.
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company hosts the inaugural Hershey Half Marathon. Proceeds from the 13.1 mile race benefited Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Chad Carr, an alum of Hershey High School, finished the race at 1:11:33. The women’s winner, Kaitlin Anelauskas, finished at 1:21:37.
Church of the Brethren hold their triennial convention at the Convention Hall. This is the facility’s inaugural event.
Harrisburg Evangelistic Chorus of Harrisburg performs in the Convention Hall on Labor Day. [Hershey Press, 8/12/1915]
Hershey Bears win their 10th Calder Cup Championship under the leadership of coach Bob Woods. Goalie Michal Neuvirth is named Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs.
Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company opens a new restaurant, Highlands Grill, at the Hershey Links golf course.
The Hotel Hershey opens The Harvest, a 130-seat restaurant as part of the Grand Expansion.
Demolition begins on the former Milton Hershey School Health Center and old Hershey Hospital building located on Route 322.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church breaks ground for its new church building.
The Hershey Company announces it will no longer market the Starbucks brand of premium chocolate and will end production of the Cacao Reserve line.
Hersheygifts.com, The Hershey Company’s catalog and online web business, officially closes. The site stopped taking orders July 31st.
Kiddie Turnpike Ride, featuring miniature Cadillac styled ride cars, opens at Hershey Park. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1956.]
Super Jet Plane ride opens at Hershey Park (remodeled and operating as the Busy Bee Kiddie Ride). It is purchased from the Hampton Amusement Company for $3718. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in 1961.]
Hershey Museum introduces a writing contest as a way to encourage students to communicate their interest in and knowledge of history in a creative and coherent manner. The contest is open to students in grades 5-8. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the year 2000.]
The Hershey community comes together to build Cocoa Castle, a Robert Leathers designed playground. It is located next to the Hershey Recreation Center on Cocoa Avenue. The playground is constructed from May 12 to May 16.
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Hershey Community Archives opens in its new location in the lower level of The Hershey Story: The Museum on Chocolate Avenue.
The Hershey Lumber Company Power House is razed. The building was located near the intersection of Mill Road and Park Boulevard. [Specific date is unknown. Event occured in the month of December.]
The Hershey Company announces Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars and Milk Chocolate Bar with Almonds will contain a special “Thank You” message in celebration of the 100 years of support for Milton Hershey School. The back of each wrapper will state, “Every Hershey’s product you’ve enjoyed has helped support children in need through Milton Hershey School. Thank You […]
The Hershey Company introduces Hershey’s Bliss White Chocolate with a Meltaway Center.
Hershey’s Chocolate World’s Great American Chocolate Tour celebrates its 75 million visitor to the attraction. Sharon O’Donnell was designated as the 75 million visitor.
The Hershey Lumber Company Power House is razed. The building was located near the intersection of Mill Road and Park Boulevard. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in the month of December.]
Brownstone Masonic Lodge #666 is established. The officers are William H. Earnest as Worshipful Master, William C. Baker as Senior Warden, Titus W. Fegley as Junior Warden, Earl R. Mays as Secretary and Henrey M. Horst as Treasurer.
The Brownstone Masonic Lodge, #666, holds its first meeting
The M. S. Hershey Foundation announces the appointment of Don Papson as interim director of The Hershey Story and Amy Bischof as associate director.
The Hershey Company opens Hershey’s Shanghai store in Peace Cinema, Shanghai. This is the first flagship store outside the United States.
The Hershey Company closes its plant in Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada. [Specific date is unknown. Event occurred in December 2008.]
Cafe Zooka opens on the main level of The Hershey Story building.
The Hershey Company announces its plan to close the Scharffen Berger West Berkeley, California plant and the Joseph Schmidt San Francisco factory.
The Hershey Company announces it will discontinue the Joseph Schmidt Confections line. The company’s stores in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood and San Jose will close by June 30.
The Hershey Company announces the resignation of Kenneth L. Wolfe, the Company’s non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. James E. Nevels will succeed Wolfe.
The Hershey Company closes its Reading Plant after 23 years.
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Select Medical Corp. officials broke ground for the 61,058-square-foot Rehabilitation Hospital at Hersheypark Drive and old West Chocolate Avenue. The Hershey Trust Company provided the land for the hospital.
Devon Seafood Grill opens in the Hershey Press Building.