The Hershey History Center (HHC) has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). The grant funds will allow access to the Perley J. Hill Collection, which consists of homemade Hershey Bears "yearbooks" meticulously crafted by Hill, an ardent Bears season ticket holder. Yearbooks range from 1961 to 1980, and each contains one or two companion volumes. Contents include typed rosters, team photos, ephemera and programs, plus items that extend beyond the scope of the Hershey team, such as an article on Tony McKegney, the only African American to play in the 1978-79 National Hockey League season.

It is unusual for a historical society to have a dedicated specialty collection with the depth and breadth that the HHC's Hershey Bears American Hockey League (AHL) collection has. The Hill Collection is a major enhancement to what the museum can offer researchers and sports enthusiasts, and the grant from the PHMC will enable HHC to make these documents accessible to the public.

The HHC is a 501(c) nonprofit organization and home to the Hershey Derry Township Historical Society. It is supported by volunteers, members, the donations of individuals and area businesses and grants.

The center's archives and museum represent a narrative that is unique to Derry Township, founded in 1729, yet important to a broader context of American history in that it is based in one of the few remaining American model manufacturing communities developed at the start of the 20th century. The museum is open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For further information, email info@hersheyhistory.org or call 717-520-0748.