With a rich history dating back to its inception in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is Singapore's oldest museum with the youngest and most innovative soul. Designed to be the people's museum, the Museum prides itself on introducing cutting-edge and varied ways of presenting history to redefine the conventional museum experience.

Described as the latest cultural icon, the Museum is far from being just a space for exhibitions and artefacts. It hosts challenging and vibrant festivals and events year-round that unleash new creative possibilities in culture and heritage.

The main (2,800-square meter) gallery, the Singapore History Gallery, explores Singapore's history from the 14th century to the modern period, through a story-telling approach, unveiling different perspectives as visitors travel through tales of Singapore's past. Each display invites visitors to appreciate the nation's major national events as well as the personal stories of individuals.

Four lifestyle galleries (Singapore Living Galleries: Food, Film & Wayang, Fashion, and Photography) examine themes close to the hearts of Singaporeans. These galleries are updated regularly with rotating displays.

A new exhibition in the museum's Exhibition Gallery 1 (Basement) entitled Singapore 1960 focuses on Singapore's transformation, a year seen as, according to the new Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, as a "year of consolidation as opposed to the year before, which was a year of decisive change." For more information on this special exhibition, see the dedicated NMS website page. Check with the Information Desk for special tours of this summer exhibition.

Additional activities such as films, lectures, opera performances, adult and childrens' workshops and theatrical events continue to attract the public into the Museum's welcoming space. Please consult the local newspapers and museum publications for the most current listings.

The next blockbuster exhibition at NMS will open October 16 (and will close 23 January 2011). Watch this space, or the NMS website, for more information.