A multi-million dollar capital drive is in progress as Hershey Gardens constructs a new facility on its Derry Township property.
The seasonal tent on the east end of the Milton & Catherine Conservatory will be replaced by the new 3,300-square-foot Rose Garden Pavilion.
A variety of school groups, educational events, and enlarged flower exhibitions will take place at the Rose Garden Pavilion. A terrace overlooking Milton Hershey’s original rose garden will also be available to visitors. Ten handcrafted stained-glass windows and pendant lights in the shape of flowers will be part of the décor.
According to Don Papson, executive director of Hershey Gardens, the new addition will be affectionately named the Rose Garden Pavilion in honor of Mr. Hershey and his 1936 request to develop a lovely garden of roses. The majority of the original Hershey Rose Garden is visible from it.
Fall 2026 is when the new facility is anticipated to open.
The year-round pavilion, according to officials, will make it easier for the garden to host educational enrichment programs and school visits.
According to Papson, this might be Hershey Gardens’ last significant expansion. We will finally have the extra year-round room we require to better serve our guests’ requirements thanks to this much-needed pavilion. The Conservatory is overflowing with people.
When Hershey Gardens first opened in 1937, it was known as Hershey Rose Garden. The conservatory, which opened in 2016, has a butterfly atrium, trees, a gift store, thousands of rose bushes, themed gardens, and seasonal displays.
The Hershey Gardens are run by the M.S. Hershey Foundation. The Milton Hershey School and The Hotel Hershey are both close to the Hershey Gardens, which is situated at 170 Hotel Road.
Visit -www.hersheygardens.org/support/support-the-rose-garden-pavilion-capital-campaign to make a donation to the $3.5 million campaign.
Stories by
Daniel Urie