Section 85: Grace Hall

A story of Deep Love for his home soil, Lee Kuan Sheng return to hometown and building of "Parents Memorial Hall"

A 77-year-old man who was born in the Ladang Geddes Estate and ventured far from home for education and career opportunities has recently, out of deep affection for his hometown, purchased a standalone colonial-era building on Jalan Banglow (formerly known as Jalan Guohe) in the Ladang Geddes Estate. He plans to transform it into a place called 'Grace Hall' in perpetual commemoration of his parents' nurturing.

Lee Guan Sheng (李观胜), now 77 years old, was born in the Ladang Geddes Estate, Malaysia. He had left his hometown to pursue education and a career. However, recently, driven by strong emotions for his hometown, he bought a colonial-era building on Jalan Banglow (formerly known as Jalan Guohe) in the Ladang Geddes Estate. He intends to convert it into a standalone mansion named 'Grace Hall' as a permanent tribute to his parents' care.

Although Lee Guan Sheng, left the Ladang Geddes Estate at the age of 14 to pursue his studies and career elsewhere, he has always held a deep attachment to his hometown. In recent years, he decided to return and make his hometown his abode."

In recent years, driven by his desire to return to his roots, he purchased a colonial-era mansion built in 1928, with a history spanning 95 years. He plans to transform it into 'Grace Hall' to commemorate the care and upbringing provided by his parents. The interior is expected to house old photographs and other memorabilia, potentially making it a popular attraction in the Ladang Geddes Estate.

In addition to acquiring this historic mansion, Lee Guan Sheng, has also purchased approximately 10 acres of agricultural land nearby. He is cultivating durian and other crops and intends to build enclosures for sheep and cows, expanding into livestock farming.

This morning, while hosting some friends who came to visit, he mentioned that his father had come to Ladang Geddes from China to work in the rubber plantations approximately 80 years ago. He, on the other hand, was born and educated in Ladang Geddes and later pursued his studies and career at the age of 14."

Nevertheless, his deep emotional attachment to Ladang Geddes has led him back to his roots in recent years. In addition to acquiring the grand mansion, Lee Guan Sheng has embarked on a project to recreate several wooden units in the area, following the model of the old 'company' worker dormitories from decades ago. These units are intended for the residence of workers and are furnished with wooden platforms, providing a faithful recreation of the living conditions of workers from years past.

Furthermore, at Lee Guan Sheng's direction, bamboo groves have been planted around the house. He expressed that this was in line with the idea that 'better to eat without meat than to live without bamboo.'

Although the construction is still in progress, Lee Guan Sheng, envisions that perhaps a year from now, once the enhancement project is completed and the flowers and plants have blossomed, it will present a picturesque sight.

This morning's visitors included the Chairman of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur (Bahau) Chi Wen Alumni Association, Rebecca Ho （何玫䓺）, Low Nam Cheong（刘南昌）, Chairman of Ladang Geddis Chinese Primary School, Chey Kum Loy(谢章来), the Village Head of Ladang Geddes C Village, and other friends. They all believe that once Ladang Geddes Estate is completed, it will become a local attraction."