Milton Hershey School - Virtual Founders Hall Visitors Center

Inspiring Generations

We are glad you’re here to take a closer look at Milton Hershey School and our history. We know nothing replaces the magic of walking through Founders Hall, the stately monument dedicated to Milton and Catherine Hershey. But, until you’re able to visit us in Hershey, Pennsylvania, we’ve built the next best thing.

Explore more than 110 years of MHS history—anytime, anywhere—through this virtual experience. Navigate through our interactive exhibits, historical albums, and alumni awards/collections below. You’ll see that our unwavering mission to help children break the cycle of poverty and lead productive and fulfilling lives remains strong.

a building under construction with a round roof

The History of Founders Hall

Fifty Years of Founders Hall

Milton Hershey School dedicated an iconic building on campus, Founders Hall, in 1970 in honor of Milton Hershey’s 113th birthday. The building was a part of a bigger plan to create a lasting tribute to our school’s founders.

Fifty years later in 2020, the building underwent renovations to bring it up to current-day safety and accessibility standards. The Founders Hall Visitors Center, also modernized as part of this project, will allow MHS to better share the compelling story of our school’s past, present, and future.

Historic Fish Fountain

When Founders Hall was built, plans included a fountain created by Aristides Demetrios, an award-winning sculptor from San Francisco. Featuring a school of fish leaping out of the water, the piece represents the joy reflected in the MHS student body. It was recently refurbished as part of the renovation project.

Read the Story

Explore Founders Hall

Drag to see a 360-degree view of Milton Hershey School Founders Hall. Then, click to engage with interactive content.

Founders Hall Virtual Tour

Deed of Trust Exhibit

Signed in 1909

Milton and Catherine Hershey communicated what they wanted the school to be in the Deed of Trust that created the Hershey Industrial School in 1909. Their vision of providing a sound education, stable Home Life, and meeting all the needs of children in need comes alive in this Founders Hall Visitors Center exhibit, with a script from the original Deed of Trust, photographs, and moving images.

The Document that Changed History

Life at MHS Pillars

Hear from MHS Students

The Life at MHS exhibit features five pillars with videos about what it is like to be a student at MHS. Students in Elementary, Middle, and Senior Divisions, plus an alumna, share about Home Life, extracurricular activities, a top-notch education, Career and Technical education, and life after MHS.

Meet Jadiel—Home Life

Meet China—Campus Life

Meet Russell—Academic Life

Meet Tatiana—MHS Community

Spartan Memories Exhibit

a group of people standing around a table

Look Back Through the Eras

The Founders Hall Visitors Center Spartan Memories exhibit features an interactive kiosk and viewing wall where memories come alive through the decades of MHS history. This digital interpretation of the installation gives online guests a flavor of the content available to them when visiting in person. Use the arrows on the photographs to scroll through each series.

Early Years (1910-1950)

Milton Hershey School student home in 1923

Milton Hershey School Commencement Ceremony in 1943

Clyde Stacks' Art ClassLong-time art teacher, Clyde Stacks, was a beloved mentor to many students during his long career. The Clyde Stacks Visual Arts Center honors his contribution to the school.

Hershey Industrial School at the HomesteadThe Hershey Industrial School family on the steps of the Homestead in 1923, where the school was started.

Hershey Theatre CommencementBefore Founders Hall was built, Commencement was held in the Hershey Theatre, except during World War II when enrollment was lower. In this photograph from 1943, Milton Hershey is shown sitting on stage at the celebration.

Changing Times (1951-1980)

The enrollment of girls in the school meant many changes including adding girls’ sports.

The Glee Club produced three record albums and many promotional photographs like this one from the 1966-67 school year.

The cheerleaders show their team spirit at a football game in the Hershey Stadium in 1958.

Learning to read opens a whole new world as these students discover in the Memorial Hall elementary school library in 1966.

New student homes were built in the 1960s when the Intermediate Division was created.

Girls' Softball Team in 1979The enrollment of girls at MHS meant many changes, including the addition of girls’ sports. MHS fielded its first softball team in 1979 and girls’ basketball team in 1980.

Glee Club in 1966The Glee Club, started in the early 1930s, became well-known traveling ambassadors for MHS, giving concerts all over the region. They produced three record albums and many promotional photographs like this one from the 1966-67 school year.

MHS Cheerleaders in 1958Milton Hershey School was an all-boys school until 1977. The cheerleaders show their team spirit at a football game at Hershey Stadium in 1958.

Memorial Hall LibraryLearning to read opens a whole new world, as these students discovered in the Memorial Hall elementary school library in 1966.

Student Homes in 1960sMHS built new student homes in the 1960s when the Intermediate Division was created. Students had chores and were expected to keep their rooms neat and tidy.

Modernization (1981-2000)

Many things have changed since the school was founded in 1909, but the students still live in a family environment with houseparents and eat together at family mealtime.

The band front silks team strike an impressive formation on the steps of Senior Hall (now Catherine Hall) in 1982.

Students learn by doing with creating and producing the MHS Today school television show, began in 1990.

The New Horizons vocal group puts on an exciting show with the crowd favorite, The Candy Man.

Student Home Family Meals Many things have changed since MHS was founded in 1909, but the students still live in a family environment with houseparents and eat together at family mealtime.

MHS Band Front Silks Team in 1982Visual and Performing Arts enable our students to express their creativity and talents. The band front silks team strike an impressive formation on the steps of Senior Hall (now Catherine Hall) in 1982.

MHS School Television Show in 1990Students learn by doing with creating and producing the "MHS Today" school television show, beginning in 1990.

New Horizons Vocal Group in 1989The New Horizons vocal group puts on an exciting show with the crowd favorite, "The Candy Man." In 1989, the group had students provide the instrumental music.

A New Century (2000-Now)

Students enthusiastically support the MHS basketball team before they boarded the bus for a championship game in 2017.

The team celebrated with a modern trophy in 2005 at the 2005 Cocoa Bean Game.

Milton Hershey School students participate in Visual and Performing Arts programming in the Clyde Stacks Visual Arts Center during the 2002-03 school year.

MHS students then and now tree planting ceremony

MHS School SupportStudents enthusiastically support the MHS basketball team before they boarded the bus for a championship game in 2017.

2005 Cocoa Bean GameThe Cocoa Bean game between Milton Hershey School and Hershey High School began in 1943 as a fundraiser for the servicemen’s gift committee. Because of the metal shortage during World War II, the first Cocoa Bean trophy was an actual cocoa bean pod on a wood base. The team celebrated with a modern trophy in 2005.

Art StudioMilton Hershey School students participate in Visual and Performing Arts programming in the Clyde Stacks Visual Arts Center during the 2002-03 school year.

Then and Now: Founders Week Tree PlantingThe MHS Class of 1970 and Class of 2020 at their Senior Tree Planting Ceremony. The Class of 1957 was the first senior class to participate in an annual tree planting tradition, which has continued through the present day during Founders Week.

Vision in Action Exhibit

Founders’ Vision Continues

There are two life-changing dates in any MHS alumnus’ or alumna’s life—their birthday and the day they came to MHS. The Founders Hall Visitors Center Vision in Action exhibit shows how the MHS family comes together with a student’s own family to give them the best education, stable Home Life, and start in life possible.

The Vision That Continues To Grow

Alumni Collection

2024 Alumnus of the Year

Milton Hershey School named Doug Oliver ’93 as the 2024 Alumnus of the Year in recognition of his immeasurable professional success, and commitment to serving his community in Philadelphia and his alma mater.

Read Doug's StoryNominate a Graduate

Milton Hershey School Spartan Hall of Fame 2021 Inductees

2022 Spartan Hall of Fame Inductees

MHS is proud to honor its newest group of distinguished alumni and coaches, the 2022 Spartan Hall of Fame inductees. The 2022 class of inductees celebrates the achievements of eight graduates, a former coach, and an athletic team in the areas of athletics and visual and performing arts.

To be considered for induction into the Spartan Hall of Fame, an individual must be nominated and then vetted and approved by a selection committee. Nominees must have demonstrated good citizenship as students and since graduation.

Meet the 2022 Spartan Hall of Fame InducteesRead More on Spartan Hall of Fame

Gold Star Alumni

MHS has a long-standing tradition of honoring its Gold Star alumni every year on Memorial Day. This special group of individuals paid the ultimate sacrifice. They gave their lives while serving our country as members of the armed forces.

Read How We Honor ThemRead about Our Gold Star Alumni

Alumni Achievement Awards

Milton Hershey School recognizes outstanding graduates with Alumni Achievement Awards. The annual awards honor graduates for their academic, career, and community service accomplishments.

Learn More

The MHS Story

Interpretive Graphics

Between exhibits at the new Founders Hall Visitors Center, MHS showcases fun facts about its campus, Spartan alumni, Hershey entity partners, and Hershey, Pa. through freestanding graphic panels. Learn more about the MHS story below.

Download Graphics (PDF)