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Documents, publications and photographs from Singapore’s early days reveal fascinating insights into our history and culture. For instance, an 1819 document on the establishment of Malay College reveals how Raffles envisioned Singapore not just as a commercial hub but also as a centre for learning, culture and the arts.

Early literary works, religious tracts and dictionaries point to a thriving publishing industry in Singapore with printing presses run by English missionaries, Chinese literati and Muslim publishers. Cross-cultural exchanges, which have always been an element of Singapore society, gave rise to the first ‘fusion’ recipes in early cookbooks such as The Mem’s Own Cookery Book, published in 1929. As Singapore came into its own, discussions and debates about the Singapore identity are reflected in early 20th century magazines and 1950s poetry.

Discover early Singapore from a fresh perspective through over 100 highlights from the National Library’s collection of rare publications, manuscripts, documents, maps, photographs and more.

What is the last thing you would expect to find at the National Library? Satisfy your curiosity as you explore cabinets and drawers full of ephemera from the library’s closed shelves. An eclectic assortment of bits and bobs, explore a different side of history through the odds and ends of our collection.

School Tours

Experience the history of Singapore through the National Library’s exhibition featuring rare publications, manuscripts, documents, maps, photographs and other resources.

Guided school tours can be arranged for students who will receive the specially produced From the Stacks: Activity Booklet on Singapore History. Through puzzles, illustrations, maps and photographs, students will be able to learn and apply the 5W1H approach of research and Information Literacy (IL).

Schools also have the option of enhancing the tour with a customised IL workshop that will teach the critical aspects of research, especially in analysing and using content from a variety of resources.

Interested schools can email visitnls@nlb.gov.sg for more details.

Book early to secure a tour slot!

Programme has ended, registration is closed.

Featurette | Vice & Virtue: 1800s Singapore

From colonial power struggles to government sanctioned drug cartels and prostitution rings, 19th century Singapore was full of fantastic stories of vice and virtue. Join academic and history lover, Dr Farish A. Noor, as he takes us on a journey to uncover these forgotten stories buried in a treasure trove of rare collections.

Vice & Virtue: 1800s Singapore was broadcasted on Channel News Asia. Click here to watch it on CNA.

Selected artefacts in the exhibition are showcased in this documentary.

From the Stacks Giftaways

Fancy trying your hand at vintage recipes? Or going back to a time where library borrowing cards were used? How about bringing home quaint pictures of old-time Singapore?

We are giving away an assortment of souvenirs such as recipe cards, library cards and photo reproductions of old Singapore. Take one of these mementoes home when you visit the exhibition! #

#Souvenirs are subject to availability, while stocks last. Each visitor is entitled to one souvenir per visit.

You can also participate in our monthly Facebook quiz and stand a chance to win^ a framed photo of old Singapore by G. R. Lambert & Co. – a renowned photography studio in the late 19th century. Simply like our Facebook page @NationalLibrarySG and keep a lookout for the online quiz on the second Sunday of every month!

^Two winners will be selected monthly for each quiz. Terms and conditions apply.

Programme has ended, registration is closed.