Singapore History Museum
93, Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Civic District Trail 2, Marker 5

The Singapore History Museum showcases some of the most valuable displays concerning Singapore's history. From Sang Nila Utama to Sir Stamford Raffles, it displays information on our common roots, educating the people on how Singapore was formed and showing us how being united regardless of race and religion can solve any problems that our small city-state encounters. It has very important information on our history as a nation, thereby uniting Singaporeans and educating them.

Housed in the elegant and impressive National Museum building, a national monument, the Singapore History Museum explores the rich heritage of the people of Singapore, from our ethnic and cultural diversity to our struggle for nationhood.

In 1993, the National Museum came to be a part of the National Heritage Board (NHB). NHB's National Museum arm comprises three component museums - the Singapore Art Museum, the Asian Civilisations Museum, the Singapore History Museum. Only the Singapore History Museum is housed in this historically-rich National Museum building. She is now a new generation museum, striving to be the people's museum, always on the go with her numerous public outreach programmes and activities. The Singapore History Museum is proud to be the repository of Singapore's memories.

The Singapore History Museum was borne out of a long and often uneven path. She was initiated as a double entity, Raffles Library and Museum, in 1887 by the Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Frederick Weld. Within a short time, the Museum became known for its natural history collection of Southeast Asia as well as its ethnology and archaeology collections.

During World War II (1942-5), the Raffles Library and Museum managed to stay intact under the charge of Japanese vulcanologist Professor Hidezo Tanadate, who was on friendly terms with General Yamashita, the Commander of the conquering Japanese Army.

The Raffles Library and Museum has come a long way since. As a colonial institution, the largely British staff were primarily concerned with providing material and services for the British and Britain. The Museum separated from the library in 1960 and was renamed the Raffles Museum. Following Singapore's independence in 1965, the name National Museum was adopted to reflect the Museum's pivotal role in nation building.

Go to http://www.nhb.gov.sg/SHM/shm.shtml for more information about Singapore History Museum.