Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Hershey Story holds, in public trust, artifacts related to Hershey history and American Indian and Pennsylvania German cultures.

At the core of our mission, we collect, preserve and interpret these artifacts for the benefit of the public. The volume of artifacts, and fragile nature of some pieces, prevent us from displaying all pieces at the same time. When not on display, artifacts are placed in a controlled storage environment where they are preserved for future generations. Other cultural and educational organizations may borrow artifacts on a temporary basis. Researchers are invited to use the collections by appointment; however, the storage facility is not open to the general public.

The Hershey Story shares information about its collection through print and social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Read the Curator’s Corner blog each month and learn about the collections and other related topics

Hershey Collection

Milton Hershey would probably be surprised to find a museum about himself, his community and his chocolate company, but his legacy is one that needs to be shared. The museum began accepting Hershey-related artifacts shortly after Mr. Hershey’s death in 1945. Over the years, they have become the main focus of the collection.

Opera glasses and travel clock owned by Milton S. Hershey
Opera glasses and travel clock owned by Milton S. Hershey

In addition to personal items that belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Hershey, the museum has an extensive collection of product packaging relating to Mr. Hershey’s confectionery businesses dating to 1886, chocolate-making tools and machinery used at the original factory, over 1,500 confectionery molds, and significant examples of promotional materials, such as posters and point-of-purchase displays.

Crystal A Caramels display box, 1889-1900
Crystal A Caramels display box, 1889-1900

The museum also collects and preserves artifacts related to the community and Mr. Hershey’s non-confectionery businesses, such as Hershey Estates Dairy, the Hershey Transit Company and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company. An extensive collection of souvenirs sold at Hersheypark features a nostalgic array of items.

Artifacts in the museum’s collection are available for research. Click here for the researcher registration form and guidelines for accessing the museum’s holdings. Archival holdings, such as manuscripts, organizational records, oral histories, and photographs documenting Hershey are available at Hershey Community Archives.

American Indian Collection

Ghost Dance dress of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne) Indians

Ghost Dance dress of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne), late 19th century
Ghost Dance dress of the Tsitsistas/Suhtai (Cheyenne), late 19th century

Most visitors to The Hershey Story are often surprised to learn that the museum originated in 1933 as the Hershey American Indian Museum. Mr. Hershey wasn’t American Indian. He simply saw an opportunity to bring other cultures to his community.

The extensive collection came from John G. Worth, a collector who spent nearly 20 years living in the American West. At Mr. Hershey’s direction, Mr. Worth put together a museum containing material culture created and used by American Indian groups living throughout the U.S.

Northwest Coast feast dish with raven motif
Early 20th century northwest coast feast dish with raven motif

The collection contains approximately 750 items, including artifacts from all regions of North America. A painted Ghost Dance dress decorated with elk teeth and brass bells is a stunning example of Plains craftsmanship.

Basketry and pottery are the strengths of the Southwest collection. A Tlingit frontlet made of ermine fur, wood, feathers, and shell and a ceremonial Chilkat blanket are among the outstanding pieces that make up our Northwest Coast collection.

"Little Indian" rock along the Susquehanna River, 1896. David H. Landis Collection
“Little Indian” rock along the Susquehanna River, 1896. David H. Landis Collection

The Hershey Story also cares for Susquehannock Indian archaeological material. It was excavated by David Herr Landis around Washington Boro in nearby Lancaster County. The Landis collection contains exceptional examples of clay pottery sherds, glass and shell beads, stone tools, and European trade goods, as well as Landis’ field notes, drawings and photographs. An outstanding aspect of this collection is a series of photographs taken of petroglyphs along the lower Susquehanna River. These rocks were submerged by water with the construction of the Safe Harbor, Holtwood and Conowingo hydroelectric dams.


American Indian artifacts in the museum’s collection are available for research. Click here for the researcher registration form and guidelines for accessing the museum’s holdings.

Pennsylvania German Collection

Pewter pitcher or ewer made by William Will, Philadelphia, PA, 1764-1798
Pewter pitcher or ewer made by William Will, Philadelphia, PA, 1764-1798

In 1933, Mr. Hershey purchased a collection of American Indian items for the newly-created Hershey American Indian Museum. In 1935, he was seemingly intrigued by a new collection of his own heritage – Pennsylvania German. Mr. Hershey’s parents, natives of central PA, were both of Pennsylvania German descent. He purchased the wide-ranging collection from the estate of George H. Danner, a merchant and collector from Manheim, PA. Mr. Danner enjoyed sharing the collection with visitors to his museum, located on the third floor of a dry goods store he operated from 1882 to 1917.

The Danner collection documents the daily life of 19th century Pennsylvania German people. Everyday household items, including 2,000 pieces of English ceramics, glassware and textiles, are the collection’s greatest assets. Notable items include a John Flory blanket chest, a John Long lamp, Lehnware cups and saffron boxes, a 1768 inlaid shrank (wardrobe), and a coverlet made for George Danner’s mother Elizabeth.

Glassware attributed to the American Flint-Glass Manufactory, Henry W. Stiegel, 1760-1775
Glassware attributed to the American Flint-Glass Manufactory, Henry W. Stiegel, 1760-1775

Artifacts of particular note are the ironwork and glassware attributed to Henry William Stiegel, an iron master who owned one of America’s first glass works. Other items related to Stiegel include furniture, fireplace tiles and two painted wall-hangings from his mansion. Perhaps the most significant artifact from Danner’s collection is the renowned Apostolic Clock. The clock features a procession of Christ’s twelve apostles. Click here for more information. The Apostolic Clock is currently not on exhibit.

Pennsylvania German artifacts in the museum’s collection are available for research. Click here for the researcher registration form and guidelines for accessing the museum’s holdings.

Visit the Museum Shop
Combo Pass