Ben-Gurion's hut
{{Short description|Retirement home of David Ben-Gurion}}
{{Infobox museum
| name = Ben-Gurion's Hut
| native_name = צריף בן גוריון
| native_name_lang = he
| image = File:BenGurionSdehBokerHouse.JPG
| caption = Ben-Gurion's Hut
| location = Kibbutz Sde Boker, Israel
| type = Historic House Museum
| established = 1953
| owner = Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute
| website = {{URL|https://shimur.org/sites/ben-gurions-hut-sde-boker/}}
| collections = Artifacts and exhibits related to David Ben-Gurion’s life and legacy
| architectural_style =
| former_names =
}}
Ben-Gurion's hut ({{langx|he|צריף בן גוריון}}, Tzrif Ben Gurion) was the retirement home of Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and his wife Paula (Pola) from 1953 until Ben-Gurion's death in 1973. The "hut", located on kibbutz Sde Boker, was preserved exactly as it was left by Ben-Gurion and now serves as a museum with a visitor center operated by the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute.
History
File:44444 חדרו של דוד בן גוריון בצריף בשדה בוקר.jpg
In 1952, on a tour of Southern Israel, Ben-Gurion passed by a small community with only a hut and a few tents – Sde Boker. He stopped to greet the founders of the community, who he believed were doing a great service to the newly founded State by reclaiming the desert. Later, he sent a letter to the community wishing them luck and confiding in them his "jealousy" of their humble lifestyle.{{cite news |title=Visit With Ben Gurion in the Desert; Israel's elder statesman sought sanctuary in the Negev, but in retirement he has found little time for the reading and meditation he planned |author= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/12/archives/visit-with-ben-gurion-in-the-desert-israels-elder-steitesman-sought.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 January 1964 |accessdate=18 May 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518101740/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/01/12/archives/visit-with-ben-gurion-in-the-desert-israels-elder-steitesman-sought.html |url-status=live }} In 1953, Ben-Gurion and his wife joined the kibbutz and moved into the house. His move can be attributed to Ben-Gurion's wish to settle the Negev desert and lead by personal example. Additionally, he wished to disconnect from the pressures of his job and move to a remote part of the desert. In 1955, Ben-Gurion was re-elected Prime Minister. Throughout his term which lasted until 1963, Ben-Gurion resided in his home in Sde Boker, and he continued living there until his death in 1973.{{cite web |url=https://www.petitfute.co.uk/v37590-sde-boker/c1173-visites-points-d-interet/c958-musee/9854-ben-gurion-desert-home-ben-gurion-s-hut.html |title=Ben Gurion desert home |publisher=Petit Futé |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=18 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518103852/https://www.petitfute.co.uk/v37590-sde-boker/c1173-visites-points-d-interet/c958-musee/9854-ben-gurion-desert-home-ben-gurion-s-hut.html |url-status=live }}
Per Ben-Gurion's request in his will, the house and everything inside remained intact and open to the public.{{cite web |url=http://www.bgh.org.il/info/hut/hut-005.htm |title=נוער חו"ל בשפות שונות |accessdate=2013-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323072434/http://www.bgh.org.il/info/hut/hut-005.htm |archivedate=2013-03-23 }}, Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute A museum documenting the life and writings of Ben-Gurion was built at the site of the hut and attracts many tourists each year.{{cite web|url=http://www.bgh.org.il/info/departments/over_seas/welcome.htm |title=Over-Seas Unit |accessdate=2013-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811020708/http://www.bgh.org.il/info/departments/over_seas/welcome.htm |archive-date=2013-08-11 }}, Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute Overseas Welcome A special focus was put on Ben-Gurion's vision to build up and settle the Negev Desert.
See also
{{portal|Israel}}
- Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv
- {{commons category-inline|David Ben Gurion's house in Sde Boker}}
Notes
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Category:Biographical museums in Israel