Milton Hershey School Announces Weekend Hours for Founders Hall Visitors Center

Milton Hershey School has added additional weekend hours for the Founders Hall Visitors Center. Guests can explore the history of the school and learn about the opportunities available to students. Normal hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours are self-guided. Friendly and knowledgeable staff—many of whom are former MHS houseparents— are eager to answer your questions.

Founders Hall reopened to the public in March 2023 after a five-year renovation. The project included upgrades to the auditorium, newly designed meeting areas and office spaces, and a redesigned dining hall. The Visitors Center, located in the rotunda of the historic building, uses technology, video displays, and interactive elements to explain the life and legacy of the school’s founders Milton and Catherine Hershey, and highlight the ways their vision still impacts the school today.

“We are excited to welcome members of the community and visitors to Hershey inside Founders Hall to learn more about the school,” said Michael Kinney, MHS Manager of Community Relations. “What was originally constructed as a monument to our founders now showcases the school’s more than 110-year history and shares the stories and experiences of current students and alumni in fun and engaging ways.”

Founders Hall first opened on Sept. 13, 1970, in honor of Milton Hershey’s 113th birthday. The building’s dome measures 74 feet from the floor to interior ceiling and 137 feet 3 inches from floor to the exterior roof. Art contributes to its beauty, including the sculptural flying fish fountain at the front entrance by Aristides Demetrios, and the Florentine mosaic in the rotunda floor by Leif Neandross.

The Founders Hall Visitors Center is located at 801 Spartan Lane, Hershey, PA 17033. Guests can park in Lot A and enter through the porte cochere doors. From there, staff will direct visitors to the exhibits.