The Civic District was the historic birthplace of Singapore where early settlers worked and lived. It became the seat of the British Colonial Government and many landmark buildings were constructed during the time. The area was a thriving hub of activities until new developments drew attention away.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Raffles' Hotel
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
Three Armenian brothers: Tigran, Aviet and Arshak built and established the Raffles Hotel which opened on 18 November 1896. Since then, Raffles Hotel has been the scene for many a grand soiree and an inspiration setting for famous writers. During the colonial period, the hotel was a symbol of colonialism for Europeans patronized it and natives were discreetly excluded.
During the Japanese Occupation, Raffles Hotel was used by the Japanese Imperial Army Headquarters for the Transport and Supplies Section and as rooms for senior Japanese officers. The hotel was then known as Syonan Hotel.
After the war, the hotel became a transit point for allied army personnel as well as those rescued from internment camps. In 1946, Raffles Hotel reopened to a rapidly changing Singapore. It was a time when British colonialism presence was fading and new modern hotels were springing up. Finding itself out of its element, Raffles Hotel went into decline.
In 1989, Raffles Hotel underwent a thorough restoration, reopening in 1991 as an exclusive all-suite boutique hotel.
It was gazetted a national monument on 3 June 1995.
OUR TRAVELOGUE:
The interior hall of The Raffles' Hotel
The fountain at the porch of The Raffles Hotel
The Writers' Bar
Writers' Bar was established on 1st December 1887. It played host to famous novelists like Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham and more..
The Bar really provides a quiet and pleasant ambience to enjoy the afternoon, sipping tea. This is especially so with their big comfortable sofa couches which you will soon find your head drooping...
The Grandfather's Clock
An old clock soon caught our eyes. Situated at the main lobby of Raffles, it has been carefully restored. The clock is faithfully wound each morning by the concierge staff. Each evening when the clock chimes 8, the pianist will follow a Raffles' tradition by playing the melodious tune by Noel Coward - "I'll see you again"...
Reluctantly we left our shade and cooling air con, we accidentally saw a couple of trishaw riders and thought about how interesting a picture that would seem.. A drastic contrast between the riders and the posh Raffles' Hotel.
A picture of the trishaw rider
We then sneaked a shot but was unfortunately caught by a ferocious trishaw rider who rained us with profanities at the top of his voice...
The National Museum
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The National Museum of Singapore (新加坡国家博物院) was formerly known as the Raffles Library and Museum which catered to natural history and ethnography during the colonial days. The history of the museum dates back to 1887 and it is the biggest and the oldest museum in Singapore! The library and the museum were separated in 1960 and Raffles Museum was renamed as the National Museum in 1969.In 1993, the museum underwent another transformation to become the Singapore History Museum, dedicated to the history and heritage of Singapore.
The building was closed for major renovations and development of an extension block of a 16 metre high and 24 metre wide Glass Rotunda, which is a modern interpretation of the old Rotunda Dome in the historic building.
It reopened in 2006 as the National Museum of Singapore.
The Glass Passage of the Museum
Swinging lights on the ceiling of The National Musuem
OUR TRAVELOGUE:
On 11 January 2008, 2.32pm, we went to the National Museum as requested by our Professor. We were expecting a trip of boredom, a stereotypical misconception of what most people would think of the National Museum. Contrary to what we expected, the National Museum metamorphosized into a treasure trove. The exterior gave us the impression of sleekness and oozed with professionalism. We were dizzy with glee to explore. Unfortunately, time was seriously running short and we exited feeling regret and immense frustration at having glimpsed briefly at the attractive stories behind the artefacts and the interesting personalities featured.
Crazily, Sin Choon dragged her friend down to the museum the 2nd day, determined to take her own sweet time to stroll around and listen to the brimming stories of the companion. Joyce went back for a second time as well, enjoying her trip to the fullest.
Sin Choon's treasures from the museum shop
What really left a deep impression were prostitution, opium smoking, secret societies and the chinese maids also known as "Ah Mas" or "Ma-jies". We felt sympathetic for the plight of the poor Japanese prostitutes and women who lived in days whereby prospects of a stable matrimonial life was distant and impossible. History and Living section is really too big to comb in one full day if you want detailed information on every station.
Time really flies, in the end, Sin Choon still missed the part on Singapore's independence. Maybe she would revisit the museum soon. The exhibitions on Food, Fashion, Photography, Film and Wayang were really eye openers.
5 thumbs up for the National Museum!
CHIJMES (Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Chapel and Caldwell House)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
On 5 February 1854, four French nuns arrived in Singapore from Penang and took up residence at the convent quarters, the now gazetted Caldwell House. The house was bought by Father Jean-Marie Beurel (founder of St Joseph’s Institution and Cathedral of Good Shepherd). The house was originally owned by H.C Caldwell, Senior Sworn Clerk to the Magistrates and designed by Singapore’s first architect, G.D. Coleman.
Ten days after moving in, the nuns began taking in pupils and conducted lessons for both fee-paying pupils and for the poor and orphans. Father Beurel acquired for the nuns all the land between Victoria Street and North Bridge Road that would constitute the entire convert complex. Revered Mother Mathilde dedicated 20 years of her life to turning the convert into a school, an orphanage and refuge for women.
On 5 February 1854, four French nuns arrived in Singapore from Penang and took up residence at the convent quarters, the now gazetted Caldwell House. The house was bought by Father Jean-Marie Beurel (founder of St Joseph’s Institution and Cathedral of Good Shepherd). The house was originally owned by H.C Caldwell, Senior Sworn Clerk to the Magistrates and designed by Singapore’s first architect, G.D. Coleman.
Ten days after moving in, the nuns began taking in pupils and conducted lessons for both fee-paying pupils and for the poor and orphans. Father Beurel acquired for the nuns all the land between Victoria Street and North Bridge Road that would constitute the entire convert complex. Revered Mother Mathilde dedicated 20 years of her life to turning the convert into a school, an orphanage and refuge for women.
The Gate of Hope - Baby girls were used to be abandoned at this door
Boys were also admitted in the early years of CHIJ and one of its pupils is Mr David Marshall, the first elected Chief Minister of Singapore. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, CHIJ educated girls in both Chinese and English and the second language was French. The CHIJ was also an orphanage for girls as well as a home for discarded babies or foundlings usually left at the small gate (named “The Gate of Good Hope”) often at the point of death.
During the Japanese Occupation, the building suffered much damages and one of the hall (The Tiger Hall) was used during the occupation for instructions in Japanese.
After the war in 1945, CHIJ was restarted and the Tiger Hall housed St Nicholas Girls’ School. In December 1983, CHIJ had to vacate the premises to give way for redevelopment and started functioning in the new premises at Toa Payoh.
The church was gazetted as a national monument on 26 October 1990
OUR TRAVELOGUE:
Unlike anything like Cathedral of Good Shepherd, CHIJMES is a spacious and decent area to spend your night life.
Bars, restaurants and shops of different presentations populate and form a mini international cuisine arena for people to pamper themselves.
You will feel like you walked into an enclosed garden of a luxurious out garden European setting. It is a super ideal romantic place to share magical moments with your special someone…
Sin Choon knocking at the Gate of Hope - "Baby girls, anyone?"
Wei Boon taking notes for the historical journal - "Are we done, yet?!"
Cathedral of the Good Shepherd
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The Cathedral of Good Shepherd was built by French missionary Father Jean-Marie Beurel, who also established St Joseph’s Institution and CHIJMES.
"Pope John Paul II"
The orginial church was sited on Bras Basah Road in 1933. It was a humble wood and attap building. Within a decade, however, it proved to be inadequate. Father Beurel tore down the existing church and replaced it with a school, St Joseph’s Institution. The government granted a site on Queen Street for a new church.
The church was consecrated by Father Beurel on 6 June 1878. The status of the church was elevated to that of a cathedral when a bishop of Malacca, Monsignor Edouard Gasnier, took up residence in the church’s quarters in 1978.
During the Battle for Singapore, the cathedral was converted into an emergency hospital.
It was gazetted as a national monument on 6 July 1973.
The cathedral is oriented eastwards, with the main altar facing the direction of the rising sun.
OUR TRAVELOGUE:
Though aged and damaged, the Cathedral of Good Shepherd still stands stout.
The short purple mosquito infested building serves the Roman Catholic community in Singapore since 1847.
The quaint interior makes use of colour stained glasses which envelopes the church in eerie green glow during the daytime. Stained glass was also used to construct portraits of holy men which was used to decorate the doors.
The short purple mosquito infested building serves the Roman Catholic community in Singapore since 1847.
The quaint interior makes use of colour stained glasses which envelopes the church in eerie green glow during the daytime. Stained glass was also used to construct portraits of holy men which was used to decorate the doors.
When visiting, visitors are strongly encouraged to don long sleeves and jeans.
To be on the safe side, mosquito repellents should also be applied to spare yourselves from being mosquito fodder.
Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
The Former Saint Joseph's Institution ( 前圣约瑟书院) is a historic building restored in Singapore which currently houses the Singapore Art Museum
Until 1988, the Singapore Art Museum was Saint Joseph's Intitution, one of Singapore's oldest Catholic boys' schools.
The building was gazetted as a national monument in 1922 and converted into the Singapore Art Museum, which was opened on 20th December 1966. Many of the building's original features were preserved.
By the Brother Michael's final extension was the school hall and chapel which was constructed in 1911. Today, tturn of the 20th contury, Saint Joseph's Institution had grown in both stature and size and the building soon became insufficient for its students' needs. In 1900, Brother Michael Noctor enlisted Father Charles Benedict Nain, who designed the chapel of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, to design an extension to the building which was completed in 1903. In 1905, Brother Michael carried out a second extension — the Anderson Block.
he Singapore Art Museum has an elegant Glass Hall featuring art works and masterpieces and a stately auditorium.
he Singapore Art Museum has an elegant Glass Hall featuring art works and masterpieces and a stately auditorium.
Our Travelogue:
At present, we are proud that the Singapore Art Museum possesses the world's largest public collection of modern and contemporary Southeast Asian art.
Singapore Art Museum also houses the national art collection of Singapore, which consists of masterpieces by major Singaporean artists such as Liu Kang, Georgette Chen, Chen Chong Swee, Lim Tze Peng and Huang Yao.
Georgette Chen, Self portrait, 1946
Liu Kang, Artist and Model, 1954
The museum has acquired contemporary Asian art since 2001 to provide a wider regional context for its collection, such as significant pieces from regional artists Affandi, Hendra Gunawan, Pratuang Emjaroen, Montien Boonma, Le Pho and Bui Xuan Phai.
It was a rare opportunity for Wei Boon and Sin Choon to visit the art museum, and both were gleaming with glee, looking forward to view the art collections displayed in the museum.
As for Joyce, the Singapore Art Museum is nothing new to her. Being an art student, she is exposed to many variations of art.
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