{{Short description|Public museum in Singapore}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Distinguish|National Gallery Singapore}} {{Infobox museum | name = National Museum of Singapore | native_name = {{lang-zh|新加坡国家博物馆}}<br />{{langx|ms|Muzium Negara Singapura}}<br />{{langx|ta|சிங்கப்பூரின் தேசிய அருங்காட்சியகம்}} | native_name_lang = | logo = 200px | image = 2016 Singapur, Museum Planning Area, Narodowe Muzeum Singapuru (02).jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Entrance to the National Museum of Singapore | coordinates = {{coord|1|17|48.2|N|103|50|55.1|E|display=inline,title}} | type = History Museum | accreditation = National Heritage Board | area = | location = 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897 | former_name = The Raffles Library and Museum | established = {{Start date and age|1887|df=yes}} | architect = Henry McCallum{{efn|Original version}}<br />J. F. McNair{{efn|Scaled down version of McCallum's and one that was eventually constructed}}<br />W Architects and I.M. Pei{{efn|Redevelopment}} | director = Chung May Khuen<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ho |first1=Olivia |title=Chung May Khuen appointed new director of National Museum of Singapore |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/chung-may-khuen-appointed-new-director-of-national-museum-of-singapore |website=www.straitstimes.com |publisher=The Straits Times |access-date=2 March 2022 |language=en |date=20 August 2019 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302063734/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/arts/chung-may-khuen-appointed-new-director-of-national-museum-of-singapore |url-status=live }}</ref> | public_transit = {{SMRT code|CC|2}} Bras Basah <br /> {{SMRT code|DT|21}} Bencoolen | website = {{URL|https://www.nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum/}} | mapframe-zoom = 16 | embedded = {{designation list|embed=yes|designation1=Singapore|designation1_date={{Start date and age|df=yes|14 February 1992}}|designation1_number=30}} }} 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{{efn|Now known as the Raffles Institution.}} 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.
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. 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Free Admission For Citizens and Permanent Residents |url=https://www.nhb.gov.sg/free-admission |website=www.nhb.gov.sg |publisher=National Heritage Board (Singapore) |access-date=6 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
== History == 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{{efn|Now known as the Raffles Institution.}} before moving to 93 Stamford Road in 1887 after several relocations, where it is currently located.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Museum of Singapore |url=https://www.nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum?sc_lang=en |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=www.nhb.gov.sg |language=en}}</ref> The museum was designated a National Monument of Singapore on 14 February 1992 by the National Heritage Board. 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 decades, 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.<ref name="Clara Chow">Clara Chow, "National Museum opens after $132m makeover", ''The Straits Times'', 8 December 2006</ref> Its most recent restoration and upgrading works began in September 2023 with staggered gallery closures, and is slated for a full reopening in October 2026. The museum remains open in the meantime with exhibitions and programmes.<ref name="NMS website">{{cite web |title=Upgrading Works |url=https://www.nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum/plan-your-visit/visitor-information/upgrading |publisher=National Museum of Singapore |access-date=2 December 2025}}</ref> ==Collection== {{Expand section|date=March 2023|small=no}} 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Kristelynn |date=2019-05-14 |title=Tang Holdings donates largest private Raffles memorabilia collection to National Museum |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tang-holdings-donates-largest-private-raffles-memorabilia-collection-to-national-museum |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref>
In 2022, seats from Singapore Airlines's first Airbus A380 were added to the museum's collection.<ref name="A38S">{{cite web |author1=Dinesh Ajith |title=Singapore Airlines donates iconic seats to National Collection |url=https://www.silverkris.com/airline/singapore-airlines-suite-and-business-class-seats-preserved/ |website=silverkris.com |publisher=Singapore Airlines |access-date=7 May 2024 |language=English |date=4 November 2022 }}</ref> In 2023, a Solari board previously used at Changi Airport's Terminal 2 was added.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Rochelle |date=2023-04-27 |title=Retired flip board from Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 to go on display at National Museum |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/retired-flip-board-from-changi-airport-s-terminal-2-to-go-on-display-at-national-museum |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> In 2024, a 1970s Nanyang coffee roasting machine and a 1979 Housing and Development Board lift were added.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ng |first=Keng Gene |date=2024-04-28 |title=1970s HDB lift, Nanyang coffee roasting machine added to National Collection |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/1970s-hdb-lift-and-nanyang-coffee-roasting-machine-added-to-national-collection |access-date=2024-06-27 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}</ref> In the same year, some parts from a decommissioned 1995 SMRT Siemens C651 train that served the North–South and East–West lines (NSEWL) until 2024, such as train doors, seats and map displays were also added to its collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doors, seats and map displays from 1990s MRT train to be preserved by National Museum |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mrt-train-preservation-national-heritage-board-museum-4504246 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=CNA |language=en}}</ref>
==Singapore History Gallery== thumb|The gallery's former entrance on level 2 The '''Singapore History Gallery''' is a {{convert|2,800|m2|sqft|adj=on}} gallery located within the museum. The gallery adopts a story-telling approach, unveiling different perspectives through tales of the past.
The Singapore History Gallery closed for restoration works in November 2025. It will reopen with a new experience in October 2026.
When visitors walk into the gallery's main entrance on level 1, they are welcomed by the nice breeze of the multimedia projections of a map of Singapore from 1700s made by a European traveller who navigated the world in that century.
The exhibits that are found in the gallery are found below: * Sejarah Singapura * Founding in 1819 (1800 - 1825) * Straits Settlements (1825 - 1867) * Crown Colony (1867 - 1941) * Battle of Singapore (1941 - 1942) * Japanese Occupation (1942 - 1945) * Post-War Period (1945 - 1949) * Self-Governance (1950s) * Merger (1963 - 1964) * Independence (1960s & 1970s) * Modern Developments (1980s & 1990s) * Singapore Millennium (2000 - 2015) * The Future Singapore (which is after SG50) * In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew
===Battle of Singapore and Japanese Occupation===
Well before World War II began, the British had developed the “Singapore strategy” to defend the British empire in Asia. In Singapore, they built a naval base at Sembawang, strengthened the air force and installed large 15-inch coastal guns. Singapore became known as the “Gibraltar of the East” or “Fortress Singapore”.
At the same time, the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 stirred up the Chinese community in Singapore. They formed “patriotic” organisations, which raised funds for China’s war effort and organised boycotts of Japanese goods and businesses.
On 8 December 1941, Singapore experienced war for the first time when the Japanese bombed the city. On the same day, Japanese troops landed on the northeast coast of Malaya and began their invasion. After a swift 70-day campaign, the Japanese – to almost everyone’s surprise – defeated the British and occupied the Malay Peninsula and Singapore.
The British surrendered on 15 February 1942. Singapore was placed under military occupation and renamed Syonan-To (“Light of the South” in Japanese). While the war continued elsewhere, the Singapore population struggled with food and fuel shortages, disease and, at its worst, violence and harassment from the Japanese. The occupation ended only when Japan surrendered to the Allies in 1945.
===Independence===
In February 2012, the Toh Chin Chye's exhibit (which is Deputy Prime Minister and the Singapore flag) was also added into the Singapore History Gallery.
===Modern Developments===
Modern Developments showcases the brief history including the late 1990s, at least where Ng Pei Seng placed his D&T semi-preserved exhibit, that is from 1999. ===Singapore Millennium===
Singapore Millennium also showcases the PSI readings in the year 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2014 due to the Southeast Asian haze. ===In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew===
In Memoriam: Lee Kuan Yew is an exhibit dedicated for the late Lee Kuan Yew, who had died on 23 March 2015. The exhibits will include the following: *Lee Kuan Yew's barrister robe *Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch *Two of the late Lee Kuan Yew's jackets *Charcoal and ink drawing of Lee Kuan Yew *A desk that Lee Kuan Yew worked over the years red briefcase for local use
== Gallery == <gallery heights="180" mode="packed"> File:KITLV - 105738 - Raffles Museum in Singapore - circa 1900.tif|The museum, {{circa}} 1900 File:National Museum of Singapore 3, Dec 06.JPG|The eastern wing of the museum at night File:National Museum of Singapore 5.JPG|The museum's dome consists of 3,000 zinc fish-scaled tiles and stained glass panels File:20250628 singapore stone.jpg|The Singapore Stone, 10th to 14th centuries. File:20250628 ship.jpg|A mockup of, apparently, a 19th-century British warship, installed in 2019. File:20250628 rickshaw.jpg|An exhibit on Singapore as a growing port city in during the late 19th century to early 20th century. File: Diorama depicting a coolie room in the 1900.jpg|Diorama depicting a coolie room from the 1900s. File:Reconstruction of a 19th-century Singapore shop.jpg|Reconstruction of a 19th-century Singapore shop. File:Coolie house sign, early 20th century.jpg|Coolie house sign, early 20th century. File:Once Upon a Tide exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore, a major maritime-themed exhibition.jpg|The 2025 Once Upon a Tide exhibition on Singapore's maritime history. File:Tank in exhibit of World War II.jpg|Exhibit on World War II. File:Items found in mass graves due to the Sook Ching massacre of 1942 by the Japanese.jpg|Personal items found in mass graves resulting from the Sook Ching massacre of 1942 by the Imperial Japanese Army. </gallery>
== See also == * List of museums in Singapore * Museum Planning Area
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
=== Works cited === *{{cite book | title=Museums of Southeast Asia| last=Lenzi| first=Iola| year=2004| publisher=Archipelago Press| location=Singapore| isbn=981-4068-96-9}} *National Heritage Board, Archipelago Press, ''Singapore's 100 Historic Places'' (2002), {{ISBN|981-4068-23-3}} *Norman Edwards and Peter Keys, Times Books International (1996), ''Singapore: A Guide to Buildings, Streets and Places'', {{ISBN|981-204-781-6}} *{{cite web | title =National Museum of Singapore (Singapore Biennale) 2006 | work = Singapore Biennale | url = http://www.singaporebiennale.org/venues-nm.html | access-date =27 July 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060725152145/http://www.singaporebiennale.org/venues-nm.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 25 July 2006}}
===Bibliography=== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110930080313/http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/PressRoomDetail.aspx?id=24 National Museum Reveals the Entire Collection of William Farquhar’s Natural History Drawings] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110930080325/http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/PressRoomDetail.aspx?id=25 The Companion Now Comes in Chinese!] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110930080341/http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/PressRoomDetail.aspx?id=29 The National Museum of Singapore Reaches Out to the Malay Community with the Malay Companion] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110930080400/http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/PressRoomDetail.aspx?id=32 National Museum's Gallery Companion Goes Japanese] *[http://s-pores.com/2009/02/history-gallery/ The Making of the Singapore History Gallery: Some Personal Reflections] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120327235933/http://www.museumdesign.asia/?p=112 Singapore History Gallery]
==External links== {{Commons category|National Museum of Singapore}} * {{official website}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20171031202349/http://www.singaporevr.com/vrs/NationalMuseum/NationalMuseum.html Virtual tour of the National Museum of Singapore] (archived) *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110930080000/http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/ExhibitionDetail.aspx?id=5&cat=1 Official Website] *[http://www.nationalmuseum.sg National Museum of Singapore Website] *[http://www.reapositor.com/nms/nms_html/PDF/Exhibitions/Permanent%20Exhibitions/Gallery%20Credits/Singapore%20History%20Gallery.pdf Singapore History Gallery Credits]{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20111006080543/http://www.singaporevr.com/vrs/NationalMuseum/HGRiverArtifacts.html VR Tour of Singapore History Gallery:14th Century Section] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20111006080621/http://www.singaporevr.com/vrs/NationalMuseum/HGWWII.html VR Tour of Singapore History Gallery:Japanese Occupation Section]
{{portalbar|Visual arts|Singapore}} {{Major tourist attractions in Singapore}} {{Visual art in Singapore}} {{National monuments of Singapore}} {{Authority control}}
Category:National Museum of Singapore Category:1849 establishments in Singapore Category:Archaeological museums Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1887 Category:Ethnographic museums in Asia Category:Government buildings completed in 1887 Category:History museums in Singapore Category:Landmarks in Singapore Category:Museum Planning Area Category:Museums established in 1849 Category:National monuments of Singapore Category:19th-century architecture in Singapore