Hollywood has arrived in Fayette County, where the upcoming biopic Hershey is in production, bringing the life of chocolate magnate Milton Hershey to the big screen. Filming took place earlier this week at Linden Hall, a historic mansion in Dawson, which is serving as the on-screen home of Milton and Catherine Hershey.
The 800-acre estate buzzed with activity as cast and crew, including actors Finn Wittrock and Alexandra Daddario, repeated takes on the mansion’s back porch under the direction of Mark Waters. Production trucks lined the rural roads, while tents housing gear and refreshments covered the lawn, including a candy-filled “Kissing Booth” tribute to Hershey’s signature treat.
Hershey, slated for release in 2026, is shooting across Western Pennsylvania, including stops in Hershey, Harmony, Ligonier, and Smithfield. Inside the mansion, rooms were transformed into filming hubs, with monitors displaying live footage and the dining room prepared for future scenes.
To ensure accuracy, producers are collaborating closely with historians from The Hershey Foundation and Milton Hershey School. Even small historical details—like the use of a clipboard invented two years too late—have been carefully revised to match the film’s timeline.
The school, founded in 1909 by the Hersheys to educate orphaned boys, continues to reflect their legacy. Six students with an interest in filmmaking were recently invited to visit the set for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the production process.
The film, developed by Dandelion Media, centers not only on Hershey’s business empire but also on his personal journey with Catherine, emphasizing themes of perseverance, generosity, and love. With support from The Hershey Co. and local institutions, the filmmakers aim to illuminate the enduring impact of a visionary who believed business should serve humanity.
source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette