Singapore History Gallery reopens in October with fresh look at the past through new narratives
The opening is just two days before the 139th anniversary of the Museum of Singapore.
Singapore's National Museum of Singapore, better known as the NMS, will reopen its Singapore History Gallery on October 10 with a fresh and immersive approach to the country's rich past. The revamped gallery, which will explore the nation's history through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand, will open just two days before the museum's 139th anniversary.
The new Singapore History Gallery will delve into over 700 years of Singapore's history, from the 14th-century Temasek to present-day Singapore. Visitors will be taken on a journey through time, exploring the city-state's evolution through the perspectives of eyewitnesses, descendants, writers, artists, and curators. The gallery will offer new immersive installations and previously unseen artifacts, providing a deeper understanding of how Singapore's identity has evolved in relation to its regional and global context.
A key feature of the revamped gallery is a newly commissioned timelapse work by photographer Keith Loutit, an Australian living in Singapore. Loutit's project captures a decade of the country's changing cityscape, offering a visual representation of the nation's growth and transformation.
The Singapore History Gallery will also place greater emphasis on the post-war and contemporary developments in Singapore, featuring largely new content from the 1980s onwards. This section of the gallery will provide a more reflective perspective on how events from visitors' lifetimes have shaped the nation.
Among the new artifacts on display will be a traditional Nanyang coffee roasting machine from Ho Tit Coffee Powder Factory and a restored 1970s Housing Board lift, symbolizing the transition from kampong life to high-rise living in modern Singapore.
Before entering the Singapore History Gallery, visitors will first pass through the Singapore Odyssea, an exhibition located in the Shaw Foundation Glass Rotunda. The Singapore Odyssea will reopen in July 2025 after its own revamp, presenting a comprehensive look at the country's milestones and myths.
The Singapore History Gallery's revamp is part of a broader phased restoration of the National Museum of Singapore, which began in September 2023 and includes infrastructure works to the historic monument. The Singapore History Gallery was last refreshed in 2015, making this its first full makeover since its opening 20 years ago.
NMS Director Chung May Khuen expressed her pride in the revamped gallery, stating that it is "shaped by new research, fresh perspectives, and voices from our communities that have deepened our understanding of the Singapore story." The revamp was guided by feedback from over 160 individuals from diverse age groups and backgrounds, with a strong focus on themes of identity and multiculturalism. Additionally, a panel of 12 Singapore academics provided expert advice on the gallery's focus on local perspectives.
To celebrate the gallery's reopening and the museum's anniversary, the National Museum of Singapore will host the "Stories of Everyday" event from October 10 to 18. The event will feature activities such as an art market, live performances, and workshops, creating a multifaceted experience for visitors to enjoy as they immerse themselves in Singapore's fascinating history.
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