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The Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society

The Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society preserves and promotes the rich history of Hershey and Derry Township through educational programs, exhibits, and community engagement, fostering a deeper understanding of local heritage.

Presented by Don &quot;Stone&quot; Kensinger When avid Navajo rug collector, Don &quot;Stone&quot; Kensinger and his wife Vicki, moved into an idyllic Mount Gretna cottage in 2012, one of Pennsylvania&#39;s historic Chautauqua towns, they were given a mysterious item that had been handed down from owner to owner since the cottage had been built in the late 1800s. Casual conversations with new neighbors led to a multiyear, cross-country adventure as Stone began to uncover the connections between the original owner of the cottage, W. Theodore Wittman; the forested, lake-front town of Mount Gretna; and Stone&#39;s continuing passion for the Din&eacute; and their weavings.Eleven hundred miles separate the Navajo Reservation from Mount Gretna, PA. Despite this vast distance, numerous Navajo rugs have migrated to Mount Gretna. The stories associated with these wonderful weavings and their provenance are the topics of this presentation.

Navajo Rugs: A Connection to Mount Gretna

Program presented by Eric Schubert, a graduate of Millersville University of Pennsylvania with an M.A. in History (2026). Eric Schubert is a public historian from a research team with Abigail Sholes.&nbsp;A retrospective on William (Wilbur) Miller Barbour (1908&ndash;1957), a pioneering Pennsylvania human rights leader whose activism helped define mid-20th-century civil rights goals. A Dauphin County native, W. Miller Barbour became one of the first African American graduates of Elizabethtown College and the first African American college football player in Lancaster County. His upbringing and education in the Middletown, Hummelstown, Hershey, and Elizabethtown areas, including setting these firsts, helped shaped his incredible career in social work which was to come. After earning a master&rsquo;s in social work from the University of Pennsylvania during World War II, Barbour led programs reducing gang violence and later worked with the National Urban League in Denver and Los Angeles, where he championed racial economic justice. Barbour foresaw later civil rights legislation which would come to fruition with Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr, however, he unfortunately died in 1957 before the full fruits of his labor could reveal themselves.

An Unsung Hero of Civil Rights: The Legacy of W. Miller Barbour

Presented by historian, author, and Hershey native, Professor Robert P. Watson, PhD.&nbsp;In celebration of America&rsquo;s 250th anniversary, the Hershey History Center will host acclaimed historian and author Robert P. Watson, on Monday, May 11, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an engaging discussion of his latest book, Declaration: The Story of American Independence.

Declaration: The Story of American Independence

Presented by Deborah HersheyAbout the programJoin local historian and author Deborah Hershey for a fascinating presentation exploring the homes that remained standing and occupied during the American Revolution. Through historic photographs, stories, and period images, Deborah will highlight remarkable homes&mdash;including the home of John Elder (photo above) &mdash;and the people who lived through this pivotal chapter in our nation&#39;s history. Her presentation is based on her book Patriot Homes, which features 68 historic homes that survived the Revolutionary War. A limited number of copies of the book, originally published in 2012, will be available for purchase while supplies last. Whether you&#39;re a history enthusiast, genealogy buff, or simply curious about the places that witnessed America&#39;s founding, this is a program you won&#39;t want to miss.

Patriot Homes: Houses That Witnessed the American Revolution

Presented by Ron MannAbout the programFrom 1958 through the 1960s, the Hershey Hill Climb was the jewel in the crown of Pennsylvania (PHA) Hill Climb Association Events. The Appalachian Sport Car Club staged the event on the &quot;old back road&quot; up to the picturesque Hotel Hershey. Speaker Ron Mann will talk about the history of hill climb racing, and how it got started in Pennsylvania, featuring film from Hershey Hill Climb events. Ron will bring artifacts to share at the program.&nbsp;

History of the Hershey Hill Climb

Presented by Deborah HersheyAbout the programGenealogy research is about more than finding names and dates&mdash;it&#39;s about understanding the stories hidden within historical documents. Join local genealogist Deborah Hershey for an informative presentation on how to read, interpret, and make sense of the records that bring your family history to life. &nbsp; Learn how to navigate common genealogy documents such as census records, wills, deeds, military records, church registers, and more. &nbsp; Deborah will share practical tips for deciphering old handwriting, recognizing historical clues, and avoiding common research pitfalls. Whether you&#39;re just beginning your family history journey or looking to sharpen your research skills, this program will help you gain confidence in uncovering and understanding the records your ancestors left behind.

The Hershey-Derry Township Historical Society

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Patriot Homes: Houses That Witnessed the American Revolution

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History of the Hershey Hill Climb

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Unlocking the Past: How to Read and Interpret Genealogy Records

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