{"id":361314,"date":"2025-05-23T16:58:06","date_gmt":"2025-05-23T08:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/?p=361314"},"modified":"2025-05-26T14:25:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T06:25:27","slug":"once-upon-a-tide-national-museum-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesmartlocal.com\/read\/once-upon-a-tide-national-museum-singapore\/","title":{"rendered":"There\u2019s A Maritime-Themed Exhibition At NMS, With Ancient Artefacts & Free Kid-Friendly Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once Upon A Tide at National Museum of Singapore<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Although National Day is a good 3 months away, there\u2019s no shortage of SG60 promotions<\/a> to remind us that our nation\u2019s hitting the big 60 this year. Events like Singapore Heritage Fest<\/a> and i Light 2025<\/a> that commemorate the milestone are also aplenty, and now you can add a visit to the National Museum of Singapore<\/b><\/a> (NMS)<\/b> to the SG60-related list of things to do.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because it\u2019s playing host to the Once Upon A Tide<\/b> exhibition, a family-friendly, maritime-themed experience that\u2019s bound to delight visitors of any age. From learning about the Little Red Dot\u2019s status as a bustling port city to an interactive scavenger hunt, here\u2019s what visitors can expect.<\/p>\n

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What is the Once Upon A Tide exhibition at NMS?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"OnceImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

Once Upon A Tide is an exhibition at the National Museum of Singapore that\u2019s running from 24th May 2025 to 9th October 2026<\/b>. Entry is free<\/b>, but you\u2019ll still need an admission ticket to NMS to access the exhibition. Singapore citizens and PRs can snag free tickets to the museum via the NMS website<\/a>, while tickets for everyone else start from $7\/pax<\/b>.<\/p>\n

The Once Upon A Tide exhibition also commemorates Singapore\u2019s 60th year of independence, and will recount and pay homage to its history that\u2019s so deeply rooted in maritime trade. It\u2019ll feature over 350 artefacts, as well as interactive installations that not only hark back to Singapore\u2019s humble beginnings, but also offer a glimpse into the island city\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

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What to expect at the Once Upon A Tide exhibition?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Whether you\u2019re a huge history buff or a couple planning a cute museum date, there\u2019s much to see and do at the Once Upon A Tide exhibition. Also, consider swinging by during its opening weekend, as there\u2019ll be even more programmes to immerse yourself in, such as free craft workshops and performances.<\/p>\n

Fascinating artefacts like a letter from Sir Stamford Raffles & interactive exhibits<\/b><\/h4>\n

The Once Upon A Tide exhibition is split into 5 different sections, each showcasing Singapore\u2019s evolution throughout the years via various immersive mediums.<\/p>\n

\"AlwaysImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

Begin your journey in Always on the Map<\/b>, where you\u2019ll be greeted with the digitally projected waves, whose ebb and flow most likely welcomed the first settlers to Singapore. Here, lay your eyes on ancient maps that date all the way back to 1525. You can also give the Find Your Singapore <\/b>digital experience a shot; see if you can pinpoint Singapore on these very archaic maps.<\/p>\n

\"RiverImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to take to the waters yourself, you can also do so right here – virtually, that is. With oars in hand, sail through the history of the Singapore River in the River Road<\/b> exhibit. Who knows, you might have made for an excellent Sampan<\/i> captain back in the day as you navigate past other vessels and brave the elements to safely transport passengers.<\/p>\n

\"Immigrant
\nImage credit: Aditi Kashyap<\/i><\/p>\n

Another section worth spending more time in is where stories of immigrants to Singapore have been told through various artefacts such as appointment letters and photographs. You\u2019ll get a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors who moved here and why they decided to call this place home.<\/p>\n

\"PanoramicImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

We won\u2019t spoil too much of the exhibition for you; it\u2019s best experienced in person after all. But, some of the other fascinating artefacts among the over 350 on display to keep an eye out for include a 1822 handwritten letter by a certain Sir Stamford Raffles, and an impressive panoramic oil painting by artist Lai Kui Fang of the burgeoning Singapore skyline back in 1976.<\/p>\n

\"SinglishWhose Singlish is better? Play a game to find out.
\n<\/i>Image credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

You can also put your knowledge of Singapore to the test at a gameshow-styled quiz which features Singlish phrases and iconic local dishes known far and wide. Speaking of which, Singaporean icons who\u2019ve put the Lion City on the map will also have the spotlight shone on them. Think pianist Margaret Leng Tan, filmmaker Eric Khoo, and athletes like Loh Kean Yew, Shanti Pereira, Joseph Schooling, and Maximilian Maeder.<\/p>\n

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Take part in extra programmes such as craft workshops & a scavenger hunt\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n
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Don\u2019t forget to check out the various extra programmes that you can complement your visit to the Once Upon A Tide exhibition with. Once again, a couple of them will only be taking place over the exhibition\u2019s opening weekend, so do plan your visits accordingly.<\/p>\n

\"Swirls
\nImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

One such opening weekend-exclusive is the free Swirls of the Sea: A Marbling Art Drop-In Craft Activity<\/b>, where participants can try their hand at creating a marbled keychain that\u2019s inspired by the tides and connections of Singapore\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

Swirls of the Sea: A Marbling Art Drop-In Craft Activity
\n<\/b><\/span>Price:<\/b> Free
\nDate:<\/b> 24th-25th May 2025
\nTime:<\/b> 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-5pm
\nLocation:<\/b> Reunion Social Space, Level 1<\/p>\n

\"Voices
\nImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

You can also take a breather during your visit by tuning in for the Voices Under the Dome<\/b> live performance. Prepare to be serenaded by a local ensemble of young Singers from the Cantar\u00e9 Children\u2019s Choir.<\/p>\n

Voices Under the Dome
\n<\/b><\/span>Price:<\/b> Free
\nDate:<\/b> 24th May 2025
\nTime:<\/b> 3pm-3.10pm, 3.30pm-3.40pm & 3.50pm-4pm
\nLocation:<\/b> Main Rotunda, Level 1<\/p>\n

\"The
\nImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

For the little ones, make a stop at the Children\u2019s Season Information Counter before you head on inside the Once Upon A Tide exhibition to pick up The River Hunt<\/b> activity sheet. It\u2019s essentially a free scavenger hunt that the kids can embark on; follow clues and answer questions correctly, and they can redeem a prize for their efforts.<\/p>\n

The River Hunt: A Mission-based Artefact Hunt Activity<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

Price:<\/b> Free
\nDate:<\/b> 24th May-29th Jun 2025
\nTime:<\/b> 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-6pm daily
\nLocation:<\/b> Children’s Season Information Counter outside Gallery Theatre, Basement Level<\/p>\n

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Learn more about SG\u2019s history at the Once Upon A Tide exhibition<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\"OnceImage credit: National Museum of Singapore<\/i><\/p>\n

With SG60 quickly approaching, consider paying a visit to the Once Upon A Tide exhibition to learn more about Singapore\u2019s storied beginnings. If you\u2019re a Singapore Citizen or a PR, even better – you don\u2019t have to spend even a penny for this trip down memory lane, so slot in a trip to NMS into your upcoming weekend plans.<\/p>\n\n

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Other activities you can sit in for include interactive storytelling sessions<\/b> and performances<\/b>, and even daily short film screenings<\/b> at the museum\u2019s Gallery Theatre. Head to the NMS website<\/a> to view the full list of Once Upon A Tide\u2019s programmes<\/p>\n