David Ben Gurion House in Tel Aviv

Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv, located at 17 Ben-Gurion Boulevard, was the home of Paula and David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. In his will, Ben-Gurion bequeathed the house to the State of Israel, designating it as an institution for reading, study, and research—an enduring testament to his commitment to deepening the knowledge, spirit, and vision of future generations.

Built between 1930 and 1931, the house preserves the character and spirit of the nation’s founding leader and displays his personal library of more than twenty thousand volumes, open to the public in accordance with his wishes. Since 1974, it has served as a museum and an active center for educational, cultural, and community engagement, inviting visitors from all sectors of society to explore the fundamental values upon which the State of Israel was established.

In keeping with Ben-Gurion’s vision of nurturing an enlightened, engaged, and forward-looking society, the idea was conceived to establish, adjacent to his historic home, the new Ben-Gurion Center—a contemporary complex that will expand and enrich the visitor experience, transforming the site into a national hub of inspiration. The Government of Israel, through the National Heritage Infrastructure Program, is a partner in this initiative and supports its planning and implementation.

The Center will embody Ben-Gurion’s spirit and leadership, addressing themes of identity, responsibility, and the future of Israeli society. It will feature immersive exhibitions created through a unique collaborative process involving artists, scholars, and educators. In addition, the Center will include learning and gathering spaces and will host a wide range of educational and community activities. Architecturally, the new structure—designed with openness and accessibility in mind—will be connected to the historic house by an elevated bridge, symbolizing Ben-Gurion’s journey from his private home to the building of the national home.

Together, Ben-Gurion House and the adjacent Center will form a living, dynamic site dedicated to deepening the knowledge, values, and vision that shaped the foundations of the State of Israel—a meeting place for present and future generations seeking to understand, preserve, and renew the legacy of David Ben-Gurion.