August 1910: ‘Abdu’l-Baha moves to His House in Haifa

This house which was designed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, was built under His direction in the German colony at the foot of Mount Carmel in Haifa on a lane later to be called Persian (Haparsim) Street. It was completed in 1908, although from 1907 ‘Abdu’l-Baha began the transfer of the Holy Family to it. In the next few years all the Holy Family moved from 'Akka, including the Greatest Holy Leaf and Shoghi Effendi, and in August 1910 'Abdu'l-Baha Himself moved to the house and it became His official residence. On His return from His travels in the West, this house became the place of reception of pilgrims. The Master ascended to the Abha Kingdom in the room on the right as one enters the house. An apartment was built on the roof in the early 1920s for Shoghi Effendi, and this was expanded in 1937 after his marriage to Ruhiyyih Khanurn. More recently, the reception room directly opposite the entrance door was used by Ruhiyyih Khanum to receive pilgrims and guests.(Adapted from ‘A Basic Baha’i Dictionary, by Wendi Momen)