A Lancaster site that will be a component of the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning’s future campus has been acquired.
The property at 241 N. Plum St. was acquired by the school. This purchase will form the future campus of CHS Lancaster City, along with the buildings that were already acquired at 240 and 242 N. Plum St. and 3 Tobacco Ave.
In November, work on the first three buildings started. The buildings will be converted into a new educational campus by Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, which will educate and care for children from six weeks to age five from underprivileged and overburdened families. All expenses will be reimbursed for eligible families.
Senate Alexander, executive director of CHS, stated in a news release, “With this extra space, we will be even better positioned to deliver our family success approach, which is designed to support CHS families in establishing safe, strong, financially stable homes so children can thrive both at home and in school.” We were already thrilled to be a part of the Lancaster city community, and this new development just makes us more thrilled since it presents an opportunity for us to work with the community to provide resources in a convenient location for families.
The Lancaster property located at 241 N. Plum St. was acquired by Catherine Hershey Schools. This purchase will form the future campus of CHS Lancaster City, along with the buildings that were already acquired at 240 and 242 N. Plum St. and 3 Tobacco Ave.A picture is given.
A family success advocate will be assigned to each student and their family to help them set objectives and pinpoint areas where they need support. Focus areas may include food, shelter, work, health, and education. Families are met on-site by family success advocates to talk about their progress and provide resources. Additionally, the school will provide families with information sessions and workshops on-site.
The school had previously stated that it would improve the current buildings at each Lancaster property in order to preserve the space it had purchased. Originally constructed by Lancaster Locomotive Works in 1853, the site at 241 N. Plum Street has since been used by commercial electrical providers and iron manufacturers. In 2007, the Egan Family Trust bought it. The agreement’s terms were not revealed.
Pete Gurt, president of Milton Hershey School and Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, stated in the news release that there is something unique about carrying on Milton and Catherine Hershey’s legacy a few blocks from the site where Mr. Hershey established the Lancaster Caramel Company in 1886 and the Hershey Chocolate Company eight years later. With this extra purchase, CHS will be able to provide the best possible care for underprivileged children and families in a region that was very important to the Hersheys. We’re excited to work with the Lancaster community to accomplish this.
The Milton Hershey School is investing $350 million to build six early childhood education centers, of which CHS Lancaster City is a component. Classrooms, a Family Success Center, a gross motor room, outdoor play spaces, an Innovation Studio, and a STEM Garden are all features of the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Centers.
CHS Lancaster City, which is anticipated to open in 2026, is directed by James Snyder.
CHS Harrisburg opened in September, while CHS Hershey in Derry Township opened in 2023. This year is anticipated to see the opening of CHS Middletown in Lower Swatara Township. Next year is anticipated to see the opening of CHS Elizabethtown in West Donegal Township, Lancaster County, and CHS New Danville in Pequea Township, Lancaster County.
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Daniel Urie