This amazing history Museum was first established in 1849 but has been relocated and had its name changed several times.  After returning to its original location in 1887 where it remains to this day it has under gone many transformations, most recently in 2006 when it reopened after a 3 ½ restoration which included the opening of the Singapore History Gallery.

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest in the country and an architectural icon to its people; it is host to the 11 national treasures and presents the history and culture of the country in a conventional way.  Through exhibits and colourful festivals the Museum has become a vibrant place to discover precious artefacts and mesmerising works of art.  The permanent features show off the countries culture through; history, film, photography and food all of which are allocated their own sizable gallery.

The treasures of the National Museum date back as far as the 14 century and include; the funeral hearse of Tan Jiak Kim, mace of the Singapore City, the will of Munshi Abdullah, portrait of Sir Shenton Thomas and Frank Swettenham, which can all be viewed in the History Gallery.
 
There are also a wide variety of special feature galleries that can cover subjects of distant pasts, presents and futures, offering an experience for all interests and age groups.  The vast space of the building has an array of function facilities which cater for weddings, seminars and corporate events making it an idealistic location for any celebration.

The architecture of the building has expanded over the years to incorporate the modernisation of its surroundings.  A glass passage connects the old building into the more modern development making the transition seeming less; the glass construction is one of the largest of its kind being 4 stories high and made of self supporting glass.  The Rotunda dome has had all of its 50 pieces of stain glass restored to its original glory by a local artist and set back in new timber framed casings.

One of the most sophisticated attractions of the museum is the glass rotunda which projects images surrounding guests by 360 degrees.  Standing 16 meters high and 24 meters in diameter, at night it projects light and images into the Singapore night sky making it the most visible artistic attraction.   The main concourse of the building is a reminder that old has met new and displays its ability in its entirety at this point in the architecture where it blends so effortlessly.

The National Museum of Singapore also holds workshops of different interests, for adults and children.  One of the more popular being, the Mosaic Tessellation which is known for the development of spatial skills in children and a great way to learn practical art.  There is also a cinema at the Museum which holds screenings every second Tuesday to celebrate some of the most inventive films from the history of cinema.  The Museum is a hive of activity and a must see for anyone visiting the city of Singapore.