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Milton Hershey School began as a dream and vision shared by chocolate magnate Milton S. Hershey and his wife, Catherine. Unable to have children of their own, the Hersheys decided to use their wealth to create a home and school for orphaned boys. Established on November 15, 1909, the first students of what was then called the Hershey Industrial School lived and attended class in the Homestead, the rural birthplace of Milton Hershey. Here they were provided with a stable home life and a rigorous combination of agricultural, vocational, and academic learning. Today Milton Hershey School continues the tradition of preparing students to lead productive and fulfilling lives by providing a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources, and social need. Milton Hershey School chronicles the history and traditions of a legacy that continues to serve the needs of the thousands of boys and girls touched by the generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey every day.
About the author
James D. McMahon Jr. is director of the Milton Hershey School Heritage Center and Department of School History and former director and senior curator of the Hershey Museum. He has devoted his career to researching and sharing the many stories of Hershey and is the author of the book Built on Chocolate: The Story of the Hershey Chocolate Company.
