Singapore Museums and Galleries

Singapore History Museum

The Singapore History Museum at Stamford Road (tel: 375 2510), traces the eventful history of Singapore from the 14th century to the modern day. It is housed in the historic colonial-style National Museum building, which was built in 1849 after a suggestion by Sir Stamford Raffles.

The museum explores the development and rich heritage of Singapore from its beginnings as a Malay fishing village, to its prosperity as a port under British rule, the successive waves of immigration and the struggle for nationhood in the 1960s.

Visitors can stroll through the impressive recreation of an early 20th century Peranakan house, with its imposing ancestral hall and elaborate bridal chamber. There's also a high-definition 3-D show that presents the history of Singapore through animation, virtual sets and historical footage.

Other permanent displays include an exhibition on the history of the infamous Chinese secret societies in Singapore; the beautiful Haw Par jade collection, donated by the famous Aw brothers of Tiger Balm fame; and a fascinating collection of natural history drawings by William Farquhar, who worked with the East India Company and became the first British Resident and Commandant to the development of Singapore.

The Singapore History Museum is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and from 9 am to 9 pm on Wednesday. Admission is SGD3 for adults, and SGD1.50 for children and seniors. Admission charges for those who wish to see the 3-D show are SGD4 for adults and SGD2 for children and seniors

There are free guided tours in English conducted at 11 am and 2 pm daily, with an additional tour at 3.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Free guided tours in Japanese are conducted at 10.30 am daily.

Singapore Art Museum

Home to the national art collection of Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum resides in a brilliantly restored historic school building (the former St Joseph’s Institution). Opened in 1996, the museum has 14 galleries and over 7,500 artworks, making it the largest collection of 20th century Southeast Asian art in the region.

Open:

Mon - Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
Extended hours on Fri 19.00 – 21.00
*Free admission after 6 pm on Fridays and from 12 noon to 2 pm on weekdays.

Admission:

SGD 5 adults, SGD 2.50 children (6 - 16 years) and seniors
SGD 13 Family ticket (max 5 members)
*Prices may change where there are special exhibitions.

Guided Tours:

Monday, 2 pm (English)
Tuesdays - Fridays, 10.30 am (Japanese); 11 am & 2 pm (English)
Fridays, 7 pm (English)
Fridays, 7.45 pm (Mandarin)
Saturdays & Sundays, 11 am, 2 pm and 3.30 pm (English)

Approximate Touring Time:

45 mins

Location:

71 Bras Basah Road Singapore 189555
Tel: (65) 6332 3222 Fax: (65) 6334 7919

Getting There:

Take the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut (NS24) or City Hall Station (NS25/EW13) and walk towards Bras Basah Road.

Accessibility for the physically disabled:

The following information is obtained from Access Singapore.

1. Entrance - Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
2. Reserved disabled car park lot – Nil.
3. Accessibility within the premises - Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled. Braille numbers for visually impaired. Signal equipment for hearing-impaired.
4. Lifts - Accessible to wheelchair and ambulant-disabled.
5. Public toilets for the disabled - Level 1 and 2. Narrow door width. Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
6. Eating outlets - Dome Café.
7. Public telephone - Access to wheelchair is limited and assistance may be required. Accessible to ambulant-disabled.
8. Taxi stand - Nil

Asian Civilisations Museum

The Asian Civilisations Museum (39 Armenian Street, tel: 332-3015) aims to present the history of the various cultures in the region with the use of high technology and multi-media effects. For instance, interactive computer displays will help you explore a traditional Chinese mansion, with detailed explanations on architecture, furniture and family traditions.

The museum currently only has displays in the First Wing, as the Second Wing is still under construction. Two-thirds of the galleries in the First Wing are dedicated to the Chinese culture, with exhibits and hi-tech demonstrations of Chinese beliefs, symbolism and the scholar tradition.

Besides highlighting the important social, political and economic developments in China's past, the First Wing also houses some beautiful Chinese antique furniture, ceramics, jade and works of art.

The museum also displays, on rotation, temporary exhibitions on Asian civilisations as well as cultures further afield. A fuller picture of Asian cultures and history will be displayed when the Second Wing at the Empress Place Building opens in 2002.

The Asian Civilisations Museum opens from 9 am to 5.30 pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It opens from 9 am to 9 PM on Wednesday. Admission is SGD3 for adults and SGD1.50 for children and seniors.

Free guided tours in English are conducted at 11 am, 2 PM and 3.30 PM daily, with an additional tour at 2.45 PM on weekends. Free guided tours in Japanese are conducted at 10.30 am daily, and Mandarin tours at 2.30 PM on Saturday.

Singapore Philatelic Museum

Housed in a quaint old building which dates back to 1908, a browse around the Singapore Philatelic Museum (23B Coleman Street, Tel: 3373888) makes for an interesting afternoon for both stamp collectors and non-collectors alike.

There's a fine collection of local and international stamps, as well as first day covers. The stamps provide a thought-provoking glimpse of the development of Singapore and its multicultural society across the decades, through the pictorial, artistic and administrative lens of the different historical periods.

There's also a detailed visual display of how stamps are made, from the drawing board to the printing plates and progressive sheets, to the final product.

The Singapore Philatelic Museum is open from 9 am to 5.30 PM daily. Admission is SGD2 for adults and SGD1 for children and seniors. Visitors may ask for guided tours at the reception area, or arrange for tours by telephone.

Changi Prison Chapel and Museum

This sobering museum is situated at Changi Prison (20km Upper Changi Road North, tel: 5430893), which is still being used as a prison today. It gives a glimpse of the life of prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation of World War II.

The daily life of the prisoners are depicted through drawings made by the prisoners themselves, and through photographs and other exhibits which give an overview of the war in Asia. A pair of rail spikes from the infamous Burma railroad, where thousands of POWs were sent to work under horrific conditions, is also on display.

Next to the museum is a replica of the simple chapel built by Allied prisoners during their internment. Pinned to the building are notes from people who lost loved ones in Changi.

The Changi Prison Chapel and Museum is open from 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sunday and public holidays. Admission is free.

Singapore Navy Museum

The Singapore Navy Museum (Endurance Block, Sembawang Camp, ex-HMS Terror Barrack, Tel: 7505585, 7505565) traces the development of naval forces in Singapore, from the Straits Settlements Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in the 19th century to the Republic of Singapore Navy of today.

Also on display are antique marine equipment, historic photos and details of the high-tech missile corvette vessels of the current Navy. Don't forget to bring along your passport.

The museum is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm from Monday to Friday, and from 8.30 am to 12 noon on Saturday. Admission is free.

Singapore Mint Coin Gallery

This gallery, at 20 Teban Gardens Crescent near Boon Lay MRT (Tel: 5662626), is housed in the Singapore Mint which makes the country's coins.

On exhibit are an array of domestic and foreign coins and medals.

The gallery is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Admission is free.