Saturday & Sunday, 13 & 14 October 2018
11am to 5pm Free admission. Selected programmes are ticketed
On Wednesday, 12 October 1887, at 5pm the 14th Governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Frederick Weld, ceremoniously opened the Raffles Library and Museum at Stamford Road. At the time, the museum was established to spur intellectual inquiry in the region.
It grew alongside the country, survived the Japanese occupation and has transformed into a socio-history and cultural institution that is well-loved by many. Today, the National Museum of Singapore is the oldest of its kind in Singapore and continues to excite and inspire visitors with its innovative ways of presenting history and the national collection.
On 13 and 14 October, celebrate the 131st birthday of one of Singapore’s beloved and iconic cultural institutions. Go and discover the National Museum’s history, its building, and its galleries through exciting activities and “dialogues” with the artefacts through engaging theatrical acts!
Enjoy live music performances, building tours, craft activities, food and more as you reacquaint yourself with the National Museum of Singapore.
FaceTime with History
Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | 11am – 5pm Life in Singapore Galleries, Level 2
Every visit to the museum is like a trip back in time. But only true Time Travellers get to interact with people and objects from the past in real life – and real time. Celebrate the National Museum’s 131st anniversary and get the chance to FaceTime with History.
Birthday Cupcake Giveaway
Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | 11am – 5pm Canning Counter, Level 2
Enjoy a Cedele cupcake when you visit the museum on our birthday weekend. Here’s how:
1) Grab a time traveller’s log sheet for FaceTime with History from the museum Visitor Services Counter on level 1.
2) Collect four stickers from each of the four Life in Singapore: The Past 100 Years galleries.
3) Present the completed log sheet at the giveaway booth to get your cupcake, while stocks last
Guided tours of the Singapore History Gallery
Tours in English: Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | 11am, 1pm, 2pm & 4pm
Tours in Mandarin: Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm
National Museum Building Tour for Families Sat, 13 Oct | 2pm – 2.45pm
Join a learning journey around the museum and discover more interesting gems about this 131-year-old building.
Limited to 15 pairs of parent and child, on a first come, first served basis. On-site registration starts from 1.30pm at the museum’s Visitor Services counter.
Activities
Gran’s Short Stories
Sat, 13 Oct | 3.30pm – 4.30pm | Activity Space, Level 3
In this special edition of Gran’s Short Stories, author Linda Locke will conduct a reading of her children’s book, Agnes and Her Amazing Orchid, accompanied by live sketching by the book’s illustrator Muhd Nor. Learn about how the Vanda Miss Joaquim became Singapore’s national flower and take part in a colouring competition. The winner gets to take home Muhd’s unique sketch!
Limited to 20 children aged 7 to 12 years old, on a first come, first served basis. On-site registration starts from 3pm at the Glass Atrium, Level 2.
Drop-in Craft Activities
Glass Magnet Activity by Tinkle Arts
Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | 11am – 5pm | Activity Space, Level 3
Scratch Art Magnet Activity by Lollibox Sat 13 Oct | 11am – 5pm | Activity Space, Level 1
Colour Your Own Peranakan Tile Sat 13 Oct | 11am – 5pm | Activity Space, Level 3
Museum Wooden Keychain by LolliBox Sun 14 Oct | 11am – 5pm | Rotunda, Level 1
Work with your child to create special keepsakes to celebrate the museum’s 131st birthday! Take home your very own magnet creations, Peranakan tiles and wooden keychains inspired by the museum’s iconic façade!
No registration required. While stocks last. Last admission at 4.45pm.
Food Trucks and Dessert Pop-up
Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | 11am – 5pm Front Lawn
Take a break and indulge in delectable treats with a selection of wholesome meals, snacks and desserts from food trucks and unique dessert pop-up stalls.
Magic & Menace Set Menu by Food for Thought
Available from 8 Oct – 30 Nov Food for Thought, Level 1
In celebration of the National Museum’s 131st anniversary, indulge in a specially-designed menu inspired by the museum’s Magic & Menace exhibition.
Tuck into a hearty bowl of Chicken Bak Kut Teh, served with a refreshing glass of Jasmine Lemonade Spritz with Ground Nutmeg, and finish off with a Jasmine Panna Cotta.
The Magic & Menace Collection in conjunction with the National Museum’s 131st birthday Available from 12 Oct – 30 Nov Janice Wong Singapore, Level 1
Treat yourself to a box of hand-crafted specialty chocolates inspired by a selection of flora and fauna from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings, featured in the Magic & Menace exhibition at the Goh Seng Choo gallery.
Live Music Performances
Sat & Sun, 13 & 14 Oct | Various timings Platform in front of escalators, Level 2
Enjoy live music performances by aspiring young musicians at the museum.
2.30pm – 3pm Piano Minion Suzuki Talents
3.30pm – 4pm Boon Lay Garden Primary School Suzuki Talents
4.30pm – 5pm SHINE Music Klassique Music School
Our National Museum merchandise is on sale at the MUSEUM LABEL shop located on the ground floor of the museum.
(Re)Presenting Histories: Experiences and Perspectives from the National Museum of Singapore
Get reacquainted with its galleries! Pick up a copy of (Re)Presenting Histories for an intimate glimpse into the experiences and perspectives of the National Museum’s curatorial team as they undertook the ambitious project of refreshing the Museum’s permanent galleries over the course of one year, before it reopened for the nation’s Golden Jubilee.
Gain an insider’s perspective on how the Museum presents and re-presents Singapore’s rich culture and history to encourage meaningful connections and conversations with its visitors.
Paperback, 160 pages Retail Price: $25
Dome in the City: The Story of the National Museum of Singapore
Dome in the City: The Story of the National Museum of Singapore looks at the museum’s transformation over the years, with a focus on its history, collection and building. Through photos from the museum’s collection and intriguing lesser-known stories, the book provides a refreshing take on the oldest purpose-built museum in Singapore and celebrates its special role in the nation’s cultural and heritage scene.
Paperback, 124 pages Retail Price: $25
