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Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning and Hershey Gardens Announce the Catherine Hershey Rose

HERSHEY, Pa. – – June 1, 2023 – – Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School (MHS), in conjunction with Hershey Gardens, today announced the naming of the “Catherine Hershey Rose” in honor of Milton Hershey’s beloved wife, Catherine “Kitty” Hershey. The rose is one of 115 varieties at Hershey Gardens.

Courtesy Hershey Gardens

“This rose is a special and lasting legacy honoring Milton Hershey School co-founder, Catherine Hershey, whose name and passion for children also inspired Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning,” said MHS and CHS President Pete Gurt, whose wife, Jane, suggested naming a rose after Mrs. Hershey.

CHS and Hershey Gardens worked with two Canadian rose growers to choose the double-bloom shrub rose. Long blooming and pest resistant, it is a pale peach color and emits a spicy citrus scent.

“We are fortunate to have these growers combine their expertise to help us pay homage to Catherine Hershey, recognizing her important role in changing the lives of thousands of children,” said Jane Gurt.

Fitting for an individual who had a penchant for horticulture, the Catherine Hershey Rose pays tribute to an influential woman in Hershey history whose compassion for children led to the creation of the Hershey Industrial School in 1909, which is now known as Milton Hershey School. With regard to establishing the school, Milton Hershey was often quoted as saying, “It was Kitty’s idea.”

The Catherine Hershey Rose will be planted at all CHS locations, on the MHS campus, and is featured alongside the M.S. Hershey Rose in the M.S. Hershey Tribute Garden at Hershey Gardens. The American Rose Society honored Milton Hershey and his support of roses by naming a rose after him in 1940. The rose is also located in the Historic Hershey Rose Garden at Hershey Gardens.

“Mr. Hershey created a rose garden in 1937 for his community to enjoy,” said Amy Zeigler, senior director of Hershey Gardens. “And now, for the first time, it features a rose that’s named after his beloved wife. The Catherine Hershey Rose, with its peach-pink petals, looks beautiful next to the vibrant red M.S. Hershey Rose. Like the two individuals they represent, they’re a great complement to each other.”

Courtesy Hershey Community Archives

MHS has honored Catherine Hershey with several initiatives, the most recent being Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, which through an initial investment of $350 million will open six Early Childhood Education Centers (ECECs) providing non-residential weekday care and education for children six weeks to age 5 from qualifying families, with all costs covered. The first ECEC is slated to open in fall 2023 in Hershey, Pa. followed by locations in Harrisburg, Middletown, Lancaster City, New Danville and Elizabethtown. Other initiatives honoring Catherine Hershey include “Hugs and Kisses from Catherine,” established by Jane Gurt. The program delivers support, mentorship and encouragement to female students in pre-K through grade 12 at Milton Hershey School in tribute to Catherine Hershey’s original mission to spread kindness and generosity.

Catherine Elizabeth Sweeney Hershey
1871-1915
Catherine Elizabeth Sweeney, or “Kitty” as her family called her, was born on July 6, 1871, in Jamestown, N.Y. Leaving high school during her senior year, she went to work in a jewelry shop to help support her family. In 1897, Milton Hershey was traveling for business and called on A.D. Work’s Confectionery in Jamestown—there, he met Kitty. It appears that they were immediately smitten with each other. Kitty was known for her beauty and her wit. They courted for only a brief time and were married in the rectory of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on May 25, 1898.

Kitty supervised the construction and furnishing of their new home, High Point. She took particular interest in landscaping the grounds surrounding the house. Their greatest legacy grew out of their disappointment in being childless. In response to this sorrow, they decided to use their wealth to help impoverished, orphan children. The result was the Hershey Industrial School, known today as Milton Hershey School. Milton Hershey would always say that the school was “Kitty’s idea.” Catherine Hershey died on March 25, 1915, at age 43.

The M.S. Hershey Foundation exists to preserve and enhance Milton Hershey’s legacy and community vision and to provide educational and cultural enrichment to residents of Hershey. Hershey Community Archives, Hershey Gardens, Hershey Theatre and The Hershey Story, The Museum on Chocolate Avenue are operating divisions of the Foundation. www.mshersheyfoundation.org

ABOUT CATHERINE HERSHEY SCHOOLS FOR EARLY LEARNING
Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning will provide a cost-free educational, social, and cognitive program to children from six months to age 5 from economically disadvantaged and at-risk backgrounds through the development of initially six Early Childhood Education Centers. The Centers are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model. For more information, visit chslearn.org. 

Catherine Hershey Schools

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

© 2024 Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning