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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Packaging Matters Banner Image
Packaging Matters Banner Image

Packaging Matters Programmes

06 Apr 2019 - 15 Sep 2019
Various Venues
Various Times
Free Admission
Join us for an exciting line-up of programmes!
This April to September, explore the complex history of food packaging in Singapore at the National Museum of Singapore’s new exhibition, Packaging Matters: Singapore’s Food Packaging Story from the Early 20th Century. Discover compelling stories of the pioneers and players that have shaped this history, and learn about the future of packaging and eco-friendly practices towards reducing our environmental footprint. Visit our exhibition today!
Seniors Prog

Monthly Senior-friendly Guided Tour
Sat, 24 August 2019 | 12.30pm – 1.30pm | Free Admission | Please refer to brochure for the meeting time, venue and registration.
Sat, 14 September 2019 | 12.30pm – 1.30pm | Free Admission | Please refer to brochure for the meeting time, venue and registration.


Discover more about the Packaging Matters special exhibition through a facilitated experience that is suitable for seniors and persons with dementia, and conducted in English by the museum’s Care Facilitators. Accompanying care partners are welcome to translate for their loved ones.

Yeos drinks

A Lighter Side of History: Special Talk by Yeo’s
Sat, 31 Aug | 11am – 12pm | The Salon, Level 1

Hear from the home-grown beverage and food company Yeo’s, and find out more about the evolution of their brand and packaging over time!

Limited spaces available. $5 per ticket includes light refreshments. Register here: https://lsoh-yeos.peatix.com/
Left: Image courtesy of National Museum of Singapore, National Heritage Board.
Right: Image courtesy of Yeo’s.

Packaging Matters Curator Tour

Curator Tour of Packaging Matters
Thu, 5 Sep | 7.30pm - 8.30pm | Stamford Gallery, Level 1

 

Join our curator, Vidya Murthy, as she shares with you an insider's perspective of Packaging Matters in an exclusive after-hours tour.

Limited spaces available. $10 per pax. Visit https://nmspackagingtour2.peatix.com to register

Packaging Matters - Milo

Far from Extinct? A History of the “Milo Dinosaur” in Singapore   

Sat, 14 Sep | 2.30pm – 3.30pm  | The Salon, Level 1

 

What can a malted milk beverage tell us about a nation’s history? We can learn a surprising amount about popular notions of belonging, childhood, well-being and pleasure from the rise of Singapore’s most iconic malted drink, Milo, and the now-commonplace “Milo Dinosaur” beverage.

 

Today’s heritage food offerings are often portrayed as having charted a path from humble domestic beginnings to large outward-looking enterprises. In contrast, the Milo Dinosaur has its origins in the localisation of a multinational beverage brand, involving consumers and cooks from all walks of life.

 

Join historian Geoffrey Pakiam as he recounts the earth-shaking drink’s unusual popularity, and asks whether it should be considered part of Singapore’s heritage landscape.

 

Limited spaces available. $5 per pax includes light refreshments. Visit milodino.peatix.com for registration.

April Programmes

A Lighter Side of History: Maki-San and the Power of Packaging
Hear what motivated the owners of Maki-San, a Singapore born sushi company, to create their beautiful sushi boxes that have transformed over time into collectible art and an enduring brand icon.

Curator Tour
Join our curator, Vidya Murthy, as she shares with you an insider's perspective of Packaging Matters in an exclusive after-hours tour.

June Programmes

A Lighter Side of History: Iftar at the National Museum of Singapore
Spend an evening with us in the company of  friends and family, as we learn about the significance of fasting in the month of Ramadan.

August  Programmes

The Reality Behind the Convenience: Environmental Awareness Talk and Craft Workshop
Sat, 24 Aug | 2pm – 3.30pm | The Salon, Level 1

May Programmes

Mother's Day Celebrations

Make a Mother's Day gift for and with your mom at our drop-in craft stations for all ages!

Create a Scratch Art Photo Frame!

Create your own unique photo frame, inspired by the National Museum's new Packaging Matters exhibition, and display your precious memories with mom.

Timmy & Tammy Discover Singapore Hawker Food - Storytelling by Lianne Ong

Discover some favourite hawker dishes and popular ingredients in this engaging children's storytelling session with author Lianne Ong!

A Lighter Side of History: Traditional Teochew Kueh-Making Workshop with Yoon's Traditional Teochew Kueh and Christopher Tan 

In this Mother's Day special, learn about Teochew kueh heritage and how to make traditional Teochew png kueh at this demonstration and hands-on practical session led by Chef Müm Yoon, the Executive Chef of Yoon's Traditional Teochew Kueh and her daughter Qara Yoon.

International Museum Day at the National Museum

Join us as we celebrate International Museum Day (IMD)!

July Programmes

Timmy & Tammy Discover Singapore Hawker Food – Storytelling by author Lianne Ong

Drop-in Craft Activity: Make your own Silhouette Jars!

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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