It is with some amazement that each time I look at the large but unassuming sandy coloured tiny windowed house on Ben-Gurion Boulevard, I am still humbled at a thought that the first and most acknowledged Prime Minister of the State of Israel resided there. From 1938 to 1968 this Tel Aviv abode served as an additional residenc
e for Ben-Gurion and 
his family. The house was built in the early 1930’s on Jewish National Fund property land within the labourer neighborhood, as it was then known. Designed by Israeli architect David Tuvia , the house consisted of one room only as was the custom within this neighbourhood, cost 350 Palestinian Pounds (British Madate pounds) and, just like many of us today, payments were made in installments by Ben Gurion and his wife Paula, ( boy how property price have risen….)
In 1946 the house was expanded into a two floor structure and thereafter renovated in 1960. It was lived in by the family until they settled in Sde-Boker, but at at later stage they alternated living between the two until David Ben-Gurion’s demise in 1973. The house was bequeathed to the state and in 1977 the Ben Gurion Law was decreed to open it to the public, as a museum in memory to the man and his legacy plus a reading, reviewing and research center.
Remarkably the Ben-Gurion House/Museum is the only house 
that still remains on the leafy boulevard, sitting between unimpressive low apartment buildings of 40 years plus. Walk pass 
the simple facade to the right of the house and up a few steps you enter the first floor. The narrow entrance hall is floor tiled in the outdated but now considered vintage, dark apple green colour, leading to a sitting room complete with the original three piece suite and coffee table, day bed and fire place. Pictures hang on the surrounding walls and wooden / glass display cabinets and cases expose Ben-Gurion’s achievements, in paper or medal form. Even though the room is full of fascinating memorabilia the is no ornamentation, and somehow it feels sad.
On this level is the kitchen, fully fitted with painted wooden units in a wonderful shade of bluebell. This is large but sparse looking space even when styled with its original appliances. His daughter Renanas room, (which also served as Ben Gurion’s shelter and bedroom during the Sinai Campagn and Six Day War) a small space consisting of a simple bed encompassed by two walls fully lined from floor to ceiling with reading material.
Follow the L shape
d hallway and you are suddenly introduced to the secret world of politicians, statesmen and celebrities each with David Ben-Gurion in a captured photographic pose.
Up the dark wooden staircase to the second floor sits one bedroom and large a library. This floor which belonged solely to Ben Gurion (man cave) introduces you to a remarkable library where you truly feel the measure of the man. The library covers four rooms with shelving tightly packed with treasured books, periodical and documents , all of which are categorized under subjects such as Greek & Latin texts, Judaism Philosophy, Sciences , Art and so on. At the far end sits Ben-Gurion’s desk and paraphernalia, his study is cluttered by photos small sculptures and ornaments which seem to reflect the personal man. However, the dark files , worn papers and the direct telephone line to Ministry of Defense confirms that he was never off focus.
The libraries contains 20,000 printed works in European and ancient languages, Latin and ancient Greek. Tables, units and display cases exhibit important, fascinating documents, letters and pictures which formed the history of Israel. Sculpted busts of Ben-Gurion sit at key points in the rooms as if he were still devising strategies to reach his goals.
♥Ben-Gurion House/Museum
17 Ben-Gurion Boulevard
Tel: +9723-5221010
Entrance : Free
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