Museen - Einzelansicht

While Singapore's forefathers came to settle in Singapore from many parts of Asia within the last 200 years, the cultures brought to Singapore by these different people are far more ancient. This aspect of Singapore's history is the focus of the ACM. The Museum's collection therefore centres on the material cultures of the different groups originating from China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia.

The Asian Civilisations Museum's flagship at Empress Place opened on 2 March 2003. Occupying over 14,000 square metres at the newly- restored Empress Place Building, it houses 11 galleries which showcase over 1300 artefacts from the Museum's growing collections on the civilisations of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia/ Islamic. These collections include recent acquisitions as well as artefacts inherited from the historic Southeast Asian ethnographic collection of the former Raffles Museum.

Spread over three levels, ACM Empress Place is a microcosm of the Asian civilisation presented in an exciting way for today's museum visitors. Departing from the traditional chronological approach , the story of Asia is showcased in themed galleries integrated with multimedia and interactive components. Virtual hosts, in-gallery videos and hands-on ACE (Asian Civilisations Education) zones are incorporated in the galleries as guideposts which help visitors learn more about the multi-faceted aspects of Asian cultures. Not to be missed is the Singapore River Interpretive Gallery which tells the moving story of immigrants who lived and worked on the Singapore River. Visitors can enjoy a programme of changing special exhibitions throughout the year.

ACM Empress Place also houses a café and a restaurant, a museum shop, fully-equipped auditorium and function room with a spectacular view of the Singapore River

Housed at the old Tao Nan school building, the Asian Civilisations Museum at Armenian Street first opened its doors on 22 April 1997 with two-thirds of its galleries showcasing the Chinese civilisation. Today, this building houses a suite of galleries on the Peranakan culture. A Malay term meaning ' locally born', the Peranakans are Chinese, Indian and Eurasian communities long established in Southeast Asia. On display are fine collections of Peranakan silver, porcelain and jewellery and a re-creation of a monumental altar from the mansion of one of the wealthiest Peranakan families in Singapore. Plans are in place to develop this museum into a full-fledged Peranakan-themed museum by 2008.

ACM, Armenian Street will be closed for renovations from end-2005 to 2008, when it will re-open as a full-fledged Peranakan Museum. Look out for a brand new Peranakan attraction!

Source: Asian Civilisations Musem (ACM)