Goat Hill | Petit St Vincent

Information

Landmark: Goat Hill
City: Petit St Vincent
Country: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Continent: North America

Goat Hill, Petit St Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, North America

The National Museum of Singapore is a national monument and a museum located in the Central Region of Singapore.

Visual Characteristics

The museum building is a neoclassical structure constructed primarily from red brick and white plaster. It features a prominent dome and a portico with Corinthian columns. The building stands three stories high and has a total floor area of approximately 28,000 square meters.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is situated at 93 Stamford Road, Central Region, Singapore 178897. It is approximately 1.5 kilometers from the central business district. Paid parking is available at the museum's underground car park, accessible via Stamford Road. The nearest Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station is Bras Basah (Circle Line), located a 5-minute walk away. Several bus routes stop along Stamford Road and Bras Basah Road, including bus numbers 7, 14, 16, 32, and 197.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building was originally constructed between 1884 and 1887 as the first permanent museum in Singapore, then known as the Raffles Library and Museum. It was designed by colonial architect Norman Macalister. Its initial purpose was to house collections of natural history and ethnography, serving as a center for research and public education.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore permanent exhibitions detailing Singapore's history and culture, including the "Singapore History Gallery" and the "Life in Singapore" galleries. Temporary exhibitions are also hosted regularly. Photography is permitted in designated areas. Audio guides are available for self-guided tours.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on all levels. The museum has air-conditioned exhibition halls providing shade. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally strong within the building. Food and beverage options are available at the museum cafe and restaurant.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The last admission is at 6:30 PM. Weekday mornings are typically less crowded. For optimal lighting for photography of the exterior, late afternoon provides direct sunlight on the facade.

Facts & Legends

A notable historical detail is that the museum building has undergone several expansions and renovations throughout its history, adapting to the evolving needs of a national institution. During World War II, the building was used as a hospital by the Japanese.