Exhibition on 700 years of Singapore's history to open at the National Museum

The immersive exhibition will take visitors through the country's annals - from a humble fishing village to the independent nation-state it is today.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

Here is the media statement from the National Museum of Singapore:

Singapore's history comes alive at the National Museum of Singapore!

Redefining museum experience with the launch of SINGAPURA: 700 Years

SINGAPORE, 27 October 2014 - The National Museum of Singapore is launching SINGAPURA: 700 Years, an immersive and interactive exhibition that unravels seven centuries of our nation's history and redefines the conventional museum experience.

Visitors will be transported back in time to relive significant milestones in Singapore's history vis-à-vis an experiential showcase supported by elaborate displays and interactive platforms. With the closure of the Singapore History Gallery on 3 November, SINGAPURA: 700 Years will be one of the exhibitions that will be opened to the public during the Museum's revamp.

Angelita Teo, Director of National Museum of Singapore, says, "SINGAPURA: 700 Years is really an exhibition for the entire family to learn about our 700-year history through a holistic, immersive and multi-sensory experience. Visitors will virtually 'jump into an exciting storybook' of Singapore's history, walking through the exhibition and experiencing what it might have felt like then.

"We will also showcase how archaeology in Singapore has been a significant contributor to understanding our past and feature three of our well-loved dioramas that were part of the museum's presentation in the 90s. Come visit the exhibition, and be taken on a whirlwind journey of our nation's history."

An experiential showcase to bring Singapore's history to life

SINGAPURA: 700 Years exhibition is a 'time machine' that will bring visitors away from modernity and back to critical points in the nation's history.

Enjoy the lulls of the old fishing village from the 14th century, walk through the hustle and bustle of the busy trading streets under the British rule, and go behind the bars as a prisoner-of-war to experience the oppression of the Japanese Occupation.

Interactivity is a key element in this exhibition and visitors will be able to share the excitement and apprehension of families stepping out of their kampong (village) lifestyle and into a Housing Development Board (HDB) flat for the very first time, setting up their own communities under a re-created HDB void deck complete with chess tables and chairs and relive fond childhood memories by riding on an actual merry-go-round in a playground setting.

Visitors will also be able to get hands-on at the exhibition by casting their vote to decide Singapore's merger with Malaya and taking a history quiz to find out how much they really know about this island called Singapura.

The exhibition will present seven centuries of Singapore's defining moments through six sections, namely Archaeology in Singapore, Ancient Singapore (1300 - 1818), Colonial Singapore (1819 - 1942), Syonan-To (1942 - 1945), Road to Merdeka (1946 - 1965), and Independent Singapore (1965 - 1975). See Editor's Notes for further details of each section.

Providing a truly social experience at the museum

Committed to presenting the many perspectives of Singapore's history and culture through yet more engaging ways, SINGAPURA: 700 Years will provide a truly social experience at the museum through multimedia, technology, and by providing multiple platforms and touchpoints for the public to provide feedback, create conversations, and share their passion for our heritage.

In 2015, visitors will be able to tap on their smart devices to retrieve more information about displays, share what they see on their devices instantly with their social networks, and provide feedback that is integral to shaping the Museum's permanent galleries that is scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2015.

More details will be available in 2015.

In conjunction with the exhibition, a series of special programmes will be rolled out progressively over the 10-month exhibition for visitors who are keen to find about more about Singapore's history.

From talks and workshops on archaeology to interactive tours, a variety of interesting activities inspired by Singapore's rich history will further enhance visitors' experience.

The public is encouraged to go to the Museum's website www.nationalmuseum.sg for further details.

SINGAPURA: 700 Years will be on display from Tuesday, 28 October 2014 to Monday, 10 August 2015 in Exhibition Gallery 1 and 2 located at the basement level of the National Museum of Singapore.

The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 6pm. Admission to this exhibition is free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, S$6 for foreign adult visitors and S$3 for foreign student and senior citizen visitors.