The Empress Place is now a part of the Asian Civilisations Museum. The museum was set up with the aim to educate and enrich the public regarding the different Asian histories, cultures and traditions. Hopefully, this would lead to a better understanding and education of one another and each other’s race and religion and thus strengthen the bond and unity among fellow Singaporean citizens.

The Empress Place Building was built in 1867, the same year Singapore became a British Crown Colony. It is located near the mouth of the Singapore River and was on of the last public project works by convict labourers. It quickly became a commanding symbol of colonial authority.

The building, designed by J F A McNair, was built be a Court House but later housed many government departments and at one time, nearly the entire colonial bureaucracy. Then, it was simply known as Government Offices. In 1907, it was renamed the Empress Place Building in commemoration of the reign of Queen Victoria, Empress of India.

Even after Singapore attained self-government in 1959, the building continued functioning as a housing for the various government offices such as the Muslim Religious Concil of Singapore, the Immigration Department, and the Registry of Citizenship.

More than two decades later, all the offices were relocated and the building was converted as the Empress Place Museum. Currently, it has been restored by the National Heritage Board as the Asian Civilizations Museum, Empress Place.

The museum spans over 14000 sq feet and houses 10 thematic galleries filled with over 1,600 prized artifacts to illuminate the story of Asia. It is complemented by interactive hosts, videos and ambient sound and lighting to make the trip to the museum an enriching one. The museum is divided into four zones: Southeast Asia, West Asia/Islam, East Asia & South Asia. Each zone shows the different aspects of the respective civilizations within the different regions of Asia. The museum will also feature the Singapore River Interpretive Gallery dedicated to the history of the Singapore River and its inhabitants.

For more information on the Asian Civilisations Musuem, visit its official website at http://www.nhb.gov.sg/ACM/acm.shtml