Meet Susan Benjamin: The Nations Only True Candy Historian

With years of expertise, Susan Benjamin is a renowned candy historian and founder of True Treats. Her passion for uncovering the stories behind sweets led her to curate candies that span thousands of years. Each treat Susan selects isn’t just sweet—it’s a taste of the past, with the story on the tag

  • Retro Candy Collections

    Retro Candy Collections

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  • Buy Handmade Chocolate Four-Flavor Stack, Harpers Ferry West Virginia, true treats historic candy,

    Old Time Chocolate

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  • Botanicals Retro Candy, Teas & Sugars Collections

    Botanicals Retro Candy,...

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The Candy Timeline

Our Candy Timeline takes you on a sweet journey through history, showcasing the evolution of candy from its humble beginnings to the beloved treats we enjoy today. Each era reflects the unique ingredients, innovations, and cultural influences that shaped our favorite sweets. Explore how candy has evolved through time and experience a taste of history with every bite!

First in History

From Native American barks, to the first candy ever, to the sugars and sweets of the Bible. Healthy. Medicinal. Tasty. Symbolic.

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1500s-1700s

Candied Peels and petals, chocolate sticks, sugar plums, & other sugary treats.

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1800s

The Industrial Revolution brought a tidal wave of change in sweets.

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1900s

The rise of candy we know today – from Candy Bars to Sponge Candy.

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Retro & Penny Candy

From the Circus Peanut of the 1800s to the Satellite Wafers of the 1950s. Variety! Memories! Delicious!!

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What Our Customers Are Saying

If I could give this place 1,000 stars I would. Amazing customer service. The candy is absolutely beautiful from the candy itself to the packaging. My family is huge into history. We actually do 18th century reenacting, and my mom said it was the coolest gift she had ever gotten. Cannot wait to make my next order!

Millie L.

My dad would by [Moon Pies] and freeze them. He was a loyalist! The running joke in my family was that Dad didn't love his family, for everything he loved, he froze! Twinkies, grapes, all things chocolatey, marshmallows... To this day, I have no idea what a thawed Moon Pie tastes like!

Amy W.

True Treats is a truly unique historic candy experience! A good deal of their candy is based on historically researched recipes from the 1500s to the present. The candy is delicious. If you are in the area, this place is definitely worth a visit.

Brett S.

Loved it! They have treats from every period of history, and they all come with information about how it was used in that period. They have ALL the candy you loved when you were a kid! I came from Florida especially to visit here and I wasn't disappointed. The staff showed the true spirit of West Virginia kindness.

Diana M.

My kids have enjoyed this place for years. Susan, the owner, is chock full of knowledge about candy & candy history. While my husband and I like the historical candy (who knew candied violets taste so good?) the kids love the more contemporary pop rocks, chocolate bars, and lollipops. It's a nice place to stop while you're in Harpers Ferry.

Amy H.

Explore Susan's Latest Books

Dive into Susan Benjamin's insightful books that tell the untold stories of candy’s rich history. From her deep research to personal experiences, these books reveal the sweet evolution of America's favorite treats.

  • Sweet as Sin

    $7.27

    Signed by Susan Benjamin, this fast and fun read unveils the history of candy, from its origins to the secret life of retro favorites. Featured on Smithsonian’s 'Best Books about Food.

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  • Fun Foods of America

    $7.27

    A signed copy by Susan Benjamin, exploring the fascinating history of fun foods—from Twinkies to energy bars. Discover how these treats shaped our culture, history, and modern food industry.

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