Tour the Iconic Hershey Theatre
Capture its beauty. Learn its history. Experience its grandeur.
Take the 90-minute walking tour that will transport you to the early 20th century opulence that is Hershey Theatre.
One can only imagine the awe that struck guests who stepped inside Mr. Hershey’s theater for the very first time in 1933. The Grand Lobby, a lavish entrance, is replete with polished Italian lava rock, four types of marble and several hand-painted artistic motifs that depict the ancient legacy of the performing arts. The inner foyer, also known as the Mosaic Lobby, shimmers with an intricate blue and gold mosaic, patterned after St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice, Italy. Two German artisans labored for two years to create this beautiful artwork. The Venetian theme continues into the main auditorium, which features the illusion of being in an Italian piazza, as well as an atmospheric "sky" that can change from dawn to dusk.
In addition to the public areas—the Grand Lobby, the Mosiac Lobby and the main auditorium—tour-goers will also travel from basement to balcony, seeing historic markings from years of traveling shows and a labyrinth of hallways and dressing rooms. It is these rooms where some of the most famous performers from Broadway, the Golden Age of Hollywood and the music industry have prepared to go onstage. Stars like Yul Brynner, Katharine Hepburn and Diana Ross have all performed here, and there are many more.
Although designed in 1915, the Theatre wasn’t built until 1929 due to the arrival of World War I, which delayed the project. Ground finally broke for the Theatre in 1929 as part of Milton Hershey’s Great Building Campaign. Its doors opened to the public in 1933.
Tours are given on Fridays* at 11 a.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance, online at HersheyTheatre.com or in person at The Hershey Story Museum, 63 West Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, Pa. For additional details and ticketing information, please click here.