Museums in Israel Dedicated to Famous Figures in Modern Israeli History
March 6th 2019
Israel has perhaps one of the most interesting and awe-inspiring stories of any country within the last 70 years. It’s no wonder it has a plethora of fascinating famous figures including pioneers, politicians, soldiers, and cultural leaders. And it’s for many of these big names that museums in Israel have been dedicated, especially to those who have almost single-handedly shaped the State of Israel’s destiny.
When next touring Israel, we recommend visiting these museums and learning more about the lives of these great Zionists and Israelis. Some of our favorite museums dedicated to these famous people include:
The Herzl Museum
There would be something slightly amiss about touring Israel without a visit to a museum dedicated to the father of modern political Zionism, Theodor Herzl. The Herzl Museum is just such a place. It’s located at the main entrance to Mount Herzl – the site of Israel’s national cemetery – in the western part of Jerusalem.
Visitors get to explore the life, views, and activities of Herzl (also known as Binyamin Ze’ev) through a series of spectacular audiovisual 4D film exhibits. The museum is ideal for visitors of all ages and is a great place for young children to learn more about the visionary of the Jewish State.
Ben-Gurion House
Situated on the road leading to the Tel Aviv Marina, Ben-Gurion House is a museum dedicated to Israel’s first prime minister. It was once the family home of David Ben-Gurion and was bequeathed to the State of Israel in his will. Ever since it has been a museum open to the public and is a great place to visit to discover more about the life of this fascinating statesman.
When visiting the house museum, you’ll be able to see the place as it would have looked when he lived there together audiovisual presentations, memorabilia, historical documents, and more.
Ben-Gurion’s Hut
Another place to learn more about the life of David Ben-Gurion is on the Negev kibbutz of Sde Boker. Ben-Gurion’s Hut is where the great man lived from 1953 until his death in 1973. Today the house, which is operated by the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, is a museum dedicated to his legacy.
It’s been preserved just as he left it and features photographs and exhibits about his life and his strong ties to the surrounding Negev region.
The Yitzhak Rabin Center
The Yitzhak Rabin Center is a museum dedicated to the history of the State of Israel and the life story of the assassinated prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Designed by renowned Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, the building is unmistakable, shaped as it is in the form of a downward spiral.
Located in northern Tel Aviv, near to the Eretz Israel Museum and the Palmach Museum, the Center features audio-visual presentations, documentaries, and exhibits about events in the State of Israel’s history and Yitzchak Rabin’s connection to each. It takes about two hours to tour the entire museum.
The Menachem Begin Heritage Center Museum
Menachem Begin was Israel’s 6th Prime Minister and is most famous for signing the peace treaty with Egypt in 1979. However, there’s a lot more to be discovered about Begin, including his early life and youth movement activities in Poland and his leadership of the Irgun in pre-State Israel. The Menachem Begin Heritage Center Museum is a great place to learn all about his life.
Located in Jerusalem, close to the Old City, the museum features a ton of information on Begin’s life as well as a library, research center, auditorium, synagogue, and a variety of cultural events open to the public.
