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On Paper: Singapore Before 1867 features over 150 paper-based artefacts that tell the story of Singapore’s early history – from a 17th-century Portuguese navigational chart that points to the existence of a Shahbandar (harbour master) on Singapore island to the key document that established the Straits Settlements as a Crown Colony of Britain on 1 April 1867.

Through carefully preserved records from the collections of the National Library, National Archives of Singapore and overseas institutions, On Paper presents a rare treat to all who are interested in our nation’s past.

Curiocity explores one of Singapore’s most iconic and historical districts – Raffles Place. CurioCity presents photographs, books, building plans, archival footage as well as oral history records exploring the evolution of and memories associated with the city’s commercial centre.

The earliest records of Singapore’s existence can be found in maps and charts that help us understand how Singapore was known to the outside world from as early as the 1400s. However, as early map makers were often unfamiliar with the region misspellings and misidentifications abounded, resulting in much confusion as to where Singapore island was and what it was called!

An island by any other name… explores the various incarnations and names of Singapore on early maps from the collection of the National Library.