Conserving History: Singapore’s Heritage Museums

Although a small nation, Singapore has a rich and vibrant past compressed into its relatively short history. Conserving History is a study of Singapore museums which are housed in heritage buildings. Spanning differing architectural styles, the book chronicles the richness and diversity of 17 buildings, exploring the design language both in terms of architectural styles and the interior design. To bring depth, richness, and life to the account, the book delves into the original use of the building, the reason for the commission and the cultural and societal influences which surrounded the initial construction of the buildings. To bring contextual significance, it also explores the immediate environs of the building within the historical period of its commissioning. With each museum, the book traverses its history, the changes that it went through leading up to the commissioning of the building both as a heritage site and also as a museum. Leading into present times, the focus of Conserving History is on the exhibits it houses and the plans for the future of these buildings. Taking readers into a journey of these remarkable buildings and through personification, it provides a deep appreciation of each structure’s individual character and identity.