A Labor of Love: Our Lebanon Family Home Renovation Project

This is the story of a beloved family home in Mansourieh, El Metn, Lebanon that was abandoned for almost thirty years and then renovated by a son, George, and his Italian - American wife, Mary Ann, out of the tremendous love they had for George's father, Nicolas Iskandar El-Hage and his ancestors. The home had not been occupied since October of 1989 when Nicolas left his house during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1992) with his wife and daughter. They traveled to the United States to live with George and Mary Ann. During that time, the house was ravaged by war and the elements. Unfortunately, Nicolas El-Hage died in Monterey, California on September 29, 1993, followed by his wife, Martha, on February 29, 2008. His last wish was for his house in Mansourieh to be restored and to never be sold or occupied by anyone except the family. George and Mary Ann honored the commitment to George's father to renovate the house and make it a home that was welcoming to all in Mansourieh. After a miraculous whirlwind remodeling effort of four months, the house was opened once again in the fall of 2013.