National Museum of Singapore

National Museum of Singapore Review

Housed in a silver-dome colonial building, this was originally opened as the Raffles Museum in 1887. Included in its collection are 20 dioramas depicting the republic's past, together with the Revere Bell, donated to the original St. Andrew's Church in 1834 by the daughter of American patriot Paul Revere; the 380-piece Haw Par Jade Collection, one of the largest of its kind; the exquisite Farquhar Collection of regional flora and fauna paintings executed in the 19th century; occult paraphernalia from Chinese secret societies; and sundry historical documents. Don't miss The Singapore Story, a 3-D audiovisual show, or Rivertales, a historical exhibition revolving around the Singapore River. (At this writing, the museum is at #03-09/17 Riverside Point, 30 Merchant Road in Colonial Singapore until early 2006 when it will return to its renovated home.)