National Museum of Singapore

Original Building

Building, 1887

The front block of the museum building dates back to 1887. It features an elegant neo-Palladian design, a European style of architecture characterised by a highly symmetrical façade and the use of pediments above windows.

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story of the forest
story of the forest

Story of the Forest

Ongoing
Level 2,
Glass Rotunda
Daily from 10am - 7pm
Last admission is 6.15pm.
Free admission for Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and visitors aged 6 years and below
Created by the renowned Japanese digital art collective teamLab, Story of the Forest is an immersive installation that transforms 69 drawings from the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings into three-dimensional animations. The artwork touches on various histories, that of the site it is presented in as well as the muses it features. Through a virtual and visual landscape, this installation presents Singapore’s colonial past in contrast to its present-day modernity.
story of the forest

Presented in the Glass Rotunda, Story of the Forest is a compelling reminder of our museum’s significance. Framed by the natural foliage of Fort Canning, the Glass Rotunda stands as a modern architectural response to our museum’s 19th-century neo-Palladian Rotunda, which has existed since the institution’s opening in 1887. The second level of the original Rotunda is home to the Goh Seng Choo Gallery, which is dedicated to the William Farquhar Collection of Natural History Drawings – our museum’s most prized collection.

Story of the Forest draws its inspiration from this treasured collection. Through stunning artistry and creative technology, it invites you to interact with the animated wildlife of the Malay Peninsula in the 19th century up close.

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Family Time

Visit our permanent galleries with your little ones and play spot-the-artefact! Our colourful Early Learning Resources introduce pre-schoolers to our artefacts according to the themes of Numbers, Colours, and ABCs. Available at $8 per set from the Museum Label shop. For more children's activity booklets, click here.

Museum guide

Download our museum guide (English, Chinese, Bahasa Melayu, Tamil) to find out about the many treasures in our various galleries. In this guide, you will also find the floor plan for easier navigation. Enjoy your visit!

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Programme 18 JUL 2022 - 10 AUG 2022

National Day 2022: Stronger Together, Majulah!

Come dressed in your best red-and-white outfit and celebrate Singapore’s 57th birthday at the National Museum of Singapore with your family and friends! Admission to all galleries is free for all on 9 Aug.

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Exhibition 10 JUN 2022 - 30 OCT 2022

OFF / ON: Everyday Technology that Changed our Lives, 1970s – 2000s

OFF / ON. Step into this immersive showcase and explore how everyday technological tools changed and shaped the lives of Singaporeans from the 1970s to 2000s.

Exhibition Gallery, Basement Level, 10am - 7pm. The gallery will be closed earlier on Fridays, Saturdays, and other selected days in preparation for the Escape Room Game, with last admission at 5.30pm. View the full list of affected dates for the Aug/Sept Escape Room Game slots below. The museum may bring forward the last admission timing earlier than as stipulated, in consideration of the crowd situation during peak periods especially Saturday afternoons.
Free admission for Singaporeans and PRs. For full admission details, please view the Visit page for details.
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Programme 26 DEC 2021 - 31 DEC 2022

“Dear Senior,”: A Digital Inter-generational Pen Pal Corner

Discover some questions posed by children to their senior pen pals and find out what life was like for our seniors when they were young!

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Programme 01 APR 2020 - 31 DEC 2022

Senior Programmes at the National Museum

The National Museum is committed to supporting the health and well-being of seniors, including persons living with dementia, through meaningful and engaging programmes and resources that are based on the museum’s collection and galleries.

Various Venues, Various Timings
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