Milton Hershey: The Chocolate Magnate and Philanthropist Who Shaped a Town
Throughout the world, the name of Milton Hershey conjures up images of sweet treats and happy times, and for good reason. Hershey was an American entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist who single-handedly created the iconic chocolate company that bears his name. After revolutionizing the chocolate industry with his creamy, velvety concoctions, he went on to become a philanthropist and the influential figurehead of Hershey, Pennsylvania – a small town he created out of his own pocket. It’s no wonder he’s fondly remembered not only for his delicious chocolate bars but also as a local benefactor and legend.
Early Life and Business Ventures
Milton Hershey was born on September 13th, 1857 near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His father was a carpenter, but Milton had neither the interest nor the patience for the trade – instead, he was inspired by his father’s business acumen, which he developed himself. As a young man, he made a few failed ventures into the food industry, including a caramel business and a failed printing firm. He didn’t give up though, and when he stumbled upon a recipe for making chocolate in 1893, he established a successful chocolate business.
The Birth of the World-Famous Hershey Brand
After trademarking his new product as the Hershey Chocolate Company, Milton Hershey’s invention quickly became a household name, and a logo of a smiling, mustachioed man printed on wrappers helped him to market his brand. He was a pioneer of the prepared chocolate industry, introducing new confections like Hershey’s Kisses, Hershey Bars, and Hershey Nuggets to the public. He was a shrewd businessman, viewing this business as not just a confectionary but a medicinal product, as he believed chocolate had “health-giving” properties.
Life in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey was also a generous patron of his hometown. He wanted to be sure the people of Lancaster could have successful businesses and a higher quality of life, so he set his sights on creating a new town. He purchased a large plot of land separated from the rest of the city, intending to develop it into a model utopian community. In 1901, the Hershey Chocolate Company gave birth to the town of Hershey, which was developed with the same ideals and principles that the company was founded upon. The simple goal was providing a healthy, prosperous life for the people who lived there. It started with a Utopian town, a bank, a school, an amusement park, and even an industrial park where Hershey employees could take jobs that paid three times more than the typical wage of the time.
Hershey’s Philanthropic Endeavors
The man’s impressive philanthropic career began with a donation of nearly $2 million to the orphanage he had previously lived in as a child. Wanting to secure a brighter future for the young people in his town, he gave money to the school district to build a new elementary school and a high school. He was committed to the health and safety of the children of Hershey, Pennsylvania and came up with the idea of treating them with incurable diseases in Hershey Park, which he created in 1909. He also gave generously to the school district, helping them to build a field house, swimming pool, theater and permanent stadium.
His generosity extended beyond the bounds of Hetehey, Pennsylvania as he donated to charities and organizations for a variety of causes. These included the preservation of the Tuscarora State Park, the restoration of the classic Dutch tile roofs of the Wilbur Mansion, and the funding of a statue to commemorate veterans who served in the Spanish-American War.
Tributes
Milton Hershey left a lasting legacy in his hometown of Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Milton Hershey School Foundation, created in 1909 and funded by Hershey’s estate, continues his philanthropic work today, educating disadvantaged children and providing them with educational opportunities. The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, founded in 1962, is an educational and medical facility that provides quality healthcare services to the region. The Milton Hershey School Alumni and the Hershey Chamber of Commerce perpetuate Hershey’s memory and spirit of philanthropy, even to this day.
More than one hundred years after his passing, the memory of Milton Hershey still resonates in the air of his beloved town. Though his chocolate factory is no longer functioning, his impact is still alive and visible in the form of the successful businesses, school, and park he built. Hershey’s legacy lives on in the school and medical center he established, as well as in the sweet treats that bring delight to so many people around the world. The name of Milton Hershey will forever be synonymous with generosity, vision, and joy.
