The Moshe Novomieski Visitors and Heritage center at the historical potash factory site is expected to open its doors for a trial period by the end of April 2021 (subject to COVID-19 restrictions). ICL has been investing for several years in establishing a heritage center for visitors in the Dead Sea. In 2020, the total investment in the project amounted to about $4,600,000, and ICL’s investment in the project thus far amounts to about $12 million in total. The heritage center will address three main subjects: the Syro-African Depression and formation of the Dead Sea; the history of founding the Eretz-Israeli Potash Company in pre-state Israel, and ICL’s current activities.
The first potash factory in Israel was constructed in the northern area of the Dead Sea in 1930 and expanded southwards to Sdom in 1934. It became the largest industrial enterprise in pre-state Israel, contributing at its height more than 50% of exports from Mandatory Palestine.
In the pre-state days, the potash factory was an exemple of pioneering dedication, embodied in developing an industry out of nothing.
Due to its remoteness, and the difficulty of transportation, possible only by sailing across the Dead Sea, an employees ’ living camp was established near the factory. The site was referred to as the “workers’ camp” and constituted a settlement for all intents and purposes. The factory merged a unique mosaic of Jews, Arabs, Druze, kibbutz members and city-folk, who worked together to create and establish a dynamic social and community life in nearly impossible physical conditions, and it played an important role in securing the Dead Sea region during the War of Independence.
When the town of Dimona was founded, the residents of the camp moved into the town, and in the mid-1950s the camp was abandoned. The site was neglected for about 60 years until ICL, in collaboration with the Council for Preservation of Heritage Sites in Israel, the Tzionei Derech project of the Heritage Ministry and other entities, decided to rebuild, preserve and restore some of the historical structures and tell the historical story of the Eretz-Israeli Potash Company. Restoration is being meticulously performed by the best professionals available, while preserving the original nature of the various structures and landscape elements. Explanation of the uniqueness of the Dead Sea, presentation of the fascinating history and products of the factories will be accomplished through state-of-the-art multimedia, simulation and illustration systems.
ICL’s Dead Sea Works employees, alumni and surrounding communities take great pride in this heritage and those involved consider it an inseparable part of the formidable industrial capabilities established on the shores of the Dead Sea.
ICL is currently renovating the workers’ camp in Sdom, transforming it into a visitors’ center that will display the factory’s work in the past and at present. The historic buildings at the workers’ camp in Sdom will be renovated as a “cultural site”, displaying the history of the original Potash factory, and illustrating the uniqueness of the Dead Sea and the plants’ products.
