Deanna Miller

Humanities 101 CRN 31983

February 6, 2016

Architecture Critique Blog Post

            Most consider the ancient Greek architecture found in exotic European cities and countries like Rome, Greece and Athens to be some of the most beautiful the world. Those people would be correct. The Ancient Greeks contributed much to many areas of life like religion, art and philosophy but today we will discuss their contributions to architecture. But not architecture on the other side of the world. If you take a look around you might just find a little bit of ancient Greece in your back yard.

In Dauphin County Pennsylvania you will find Chocolate Town USA- Hershey PA. One might not think of Greece when thinking about Eastern Pennsylvania but you will find a little bit of the Ancient Greek way of life on the corner of Chocolate Avenue.

The Hershey Trust Building at One Chocolate Avenue was built in 1905 and has stood firmly since. It may have changed hands many times over the years but its purpose and architecture have not. Milton Hershey ordered the construction on the building to fit the growing financial needs to the city. The credit for its growth goes mostly to Milton Hershey himself. You do not get a town named after you for nothing after all. Originally the Hershey Trust Company in 1905 and opened on June 15th, the building later became the Hershey National Bank 20 years later in 1925. After that the Hershey National Bank was acquired by PNC Bank. According to the Hershey Archives website the front of the building as well as the majority of the interior was rehabilitated in 2006 following its acquisition by Bryn Mawr Trust Company. Today the building is owned by Bryn Mawr and is still used as a financial institution for the city of Hershey PA. (Hershey Community Archives)

The building is flanked by two large columns with the distinctive volutes on the capital of the column meaning this building is of the Ionic order. The columns of the Ionic order are thinner than the other orders but you might not realize it while gaping at them (Muscato). There are other columns around the back end of the building as well. These smaller columns are used to support the roof over the drive-thru at the back. This was a bank for many years after all. These columns are also of the Ionic order. The majority of the building is made of brick. In addition there is a small arch over top of the door with an inset sculptural design underneath it. This is also indicative of the Greeks as the arch first appeared in Mesopotamian architecture. (History of Architecture) The building itself is not very ornamental or decorative. The builders were most likely not interested in decorative pieces. The Hershey Trust Building features a portico or porch, albeit a small one. The building also features a large pediment although it is rather plain and also not decorative.

Of the three Orders of Greek architecture, Ionic seems to be the most appropriate. The two large columns command respect. Fancy art work and decorative pieces were not what the designers of this building were going for. Corinthian and Doric Order would not have been fitting for this building. The Hershey Bank was built for one purpose and one purpose only- to provide a reliable and stable financial institution for the entire city of Hershey. The bank being the "money god" of the modern era. The Ionic Order is most fitting for this type of building. The building has since changed hands over the years but all the owners of this building are in the finance industry and the finance industry is in the business to make money. Money is a very serious issue so avoiding decorative capitals on the tops of the columns. The use of volutes on the Hershey Trust Building creates an atmosphere of trust and properness, strength and stability; just what is needed for a financial institution. The Ionic order is the usual order when building post-Renaissance libraries and courts of justice which should be viewed as “learned and civilized.” Vitruvius (c. 70-15 BC) wrote that Ionic design is "an appropriate combination of the severity of the Doric and the delicacy of the Corinthian." (What is…) Vitruvius is most correct in my opinion.

In conclusion the Hershey Trust Building is one of refined architecture. The Ionic Order suits it well even after all these years. There is no doubt in my mind that the builders of the Hershey Trust Building were looking to impress the public with its architecture, to prove that the building will still be standing over 100 years later. As Julia Morgan says “Architecture is a visual art and the building speak for themselves.”

Works Cited

"Hershey Community Archives | Hershey Trust Company." Hershey Community Archives |

Hershey Trust Company. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.

Hershey Trust Building photo-Google Maps

"HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE." HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE. History World. Web. 02                   Feb. 2016.

Muscato, Chris. "Ionic Order of Greek Architecture: Definition & Example Buildings - Video &    

Lesson Transcript | Study.com." Study.com. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.

"What Is an Ionic Column?" About.com Home. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.