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National Museum of Singapore

Coordinates: 1°17′48.2″N 103°50′55.1″E / 1.296722°N 103.848639°E / 1.296722; 103.848639
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National Museum of Singapore
Chinese: 新加坡國家博物院
Malay: Muzium Negara Singapura
Tamil: சிங்கப்பூரின் தேசிய அருங்காட்சியகம்
Entrance to the National Museum of Singapore
Map
Established1849; 175 years ago (1849)
Location93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Coordinates1°17′48.2″N 103°50′55.1″E / 1.296722°N 103.848639°E / 1.296722; 103.848639
DirectorChung May Khuen[1]
ArchitectHenry McCallum[a]
J. F. McNair[b]
W Architects and I.M. Pei[c]
Public transit access CC2  Bras Basah
 DT21  Bencoolen
Websitenationalmuseum.sg

The National Museum of Singapore is a public museum dedicated to Singaporean art, culture and history. Located within the country's Civic District at the Downtown Core area, it is the oldest museum in the country, with its history dating back to when it was first established in 1849, starting out as a section of a library at the Singapore Institution[d] as the Raffles Library and Museum.

After several relocations over the next few decades, the museum moved to its current permanent site at Stamford Road in 1887. Between 1993 and March 2006, it was briefly known as the Singapore History Museum, before it subsequently returned to its present name that was first given in 1965. The museum preserves and interprets Singapore's social history, exploring the key events and people that have shaped the nation.

Over the centuries, the National Museum of Singapore has expanded and undergone various expansions and renovations, with the most recent being a three-and-a-half-year restoration that was completed on 2 December 2006, and was officially reopened on 7 December 2006 by former President of Singapore S. R. Nathan and the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang.[2] The Singapore History Gallery would open on 8 December that same year.

It is one of six national museums in the country; the other five being the two Asian Civilisations Museums at Empress Place Building and Old Tao Nan School respectively, the Singapore Art Museum, Peranakan Museum as well as the National Gallery Singapore. The National Museum of Singapore is also one of the country's national monuments, having been designated as such in 1992 by the National Heritage Board. It is one of the largest museums in Asia.[3] The National Museum of Singapore exhibits sculptures, objets d'art, paintings, drawings, and archaeological finds. Admission to the National Museum of Singapore is complimentary for Singaporean citizens and permanent residents.[4]

History

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The museum, circa 1900

The museum was established in 1849 by the then Singapore Institution Committee, and is the oldest museum in Singapore, hence its 19th century exterior design. Upon establishment, it was known as the Raffles Library and Museum, starting out as a section of a library at the Singapore Institution[e] before moving to 93 Stamford Road in 1887 after several relocations, where it is currently located.[5]

Between 1993 and March 2006, it was known as the Singapore History Museum, before it subsequently returned to its present name that was first given in 1965 as the National Museum of Singapore.

Over the centuries, the National Museum of Singapore has expanded and undergone various expansions and renovations, with a three-and-a-half-year restoration that was completed on 2 December 2006, and was officially reopened on 7 December 2006 by President of Singapore S. R. Nathan and the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang.[2]

The museum was designated a National Monument of Singapore on 14 February 1992 by the National Heritage Board.

Collection

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In 2019, Tang Holdings donated a large collection of Sir Stamford Raffles memorabilia, including 46 holograph letters and his book The History of Java, to the museum.[6]

In 2022, seats from Singapore Airlines’s first Airbus A380 were added to the museum's collection.[7] In 2023, a Solari board previously used at Changi Airport's Terminal 2 was added.[8] In 2024, a 1970s Nanyang coffee roasting machine and a 1979 Housing and Development Board lift were added.[9]

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  • The eastern wing of the museum at night
    The eastern wing of the museum at night
  • The museum's dome consists of 3,000 zinc fish-scaled tiles and stained glass panels
    The museum's dome consists of 3,000 zinc fish-scaled tiles and stained glass panels
  • The museum's concourse
    The museum's concourse

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Original version
  2. ^ Scaled down version of McCallum's and one that was eventually constructed
  3. ^ Redevelopment
  4. ^ Now known as the Raffles Institution.
  5. ^ Now known as the Raffles Institution.

References

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  1. ^ Ho, Olivia (20 August 2019). "Chung May Khuen appointed new director of National Museum of Singapore". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b Clara Chow, "National Museum opens after $132m makeover", The Straits Times, 8 December 2006
  3. ^ "National Museum of Singapore". www.roots.gov.sg. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Free Admission For Citizens and Permanent Residents". www.nhb.gov.sg. National Heritage Board (Singapore). Retrieved 6 March 2022.
  5. ^ "National Museum of Singapore". www.nhb.gov.sg. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  6. ^ Lim, Kristelynn (14 May 2019). "Tang Holdings donates largest private Raffles memorabilia collection to National Museum". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  7. ^ Dinesh Ajith (4 November 2022). "Singapore Airlines donates iconic seats to National Collection". silverkris.com. Singapore Airlines. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  8. ^ Lee, Rochelle (27 April 2023). "Retired flip board from Changi Airport's Terminal 2 to go on display at National Museum". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  9. ^ Ng, Keng Gene (28 April 2024). "1970s HDB lift, Nanyang coffee roasting machine added to National Collection". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 27 June 2024.

Works cited

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