Singapore: The Chinatown Heritage Museum in Mono
Tea and Egg time
During the Nuffnang Event in Singapore, we were fortunate to be given a tour around Singapore and one of the sights was the Chinatown Heritage Museum. I haven’t been there so after a full morning slumber, I caught up with the group at their tour of the museum. It was a great choice because the three story building houses the rich history of Singapore. It was a tour of discovery and this photo essay shot in Grainy Film Art Filter narrates the journey.
Papers hanging by the wall
What was Singapore like when migrants came in the 50s? What their living conditions were like and what struggles they faced in making it the country what it is now?
Ironing room and radio on an old shophouse
The Chinatown Heritage Museum has sections that recreate how their lives were lived. From furnishings to the narrow living quarters and ambient sounds designed to take you back in time.
An old radio with figurines
We went through each dimly lit corridors of the museum. It was interesting how the scenes there were recreated, like how a deck of playing cards were laid out on a table for Chinese to play. Every detail was laid out naturally.
The group touring the museum
Tally papers and abacus for the business minded Chinese. Even their sewing and ironing rooms were arranged as if someone was just there working.
Wall of dishes
What was lacking during the tour was a guide. We were just led from one room and floor to another. I thought it would be interesting to hear the stories themselves. Anyways, the items themselves tell the stories in their stillness and I had fun taking photographs of them.
A Prayer Altar placed along a narrow corridor side
The leaking lights in the rooms at that time were also dramatic that we had an impromptu shoot session on the top floor. It’s always great if you have willing models with you.
Abacus and tally sheets
The Museum is certainly worth a visit but it would be a lot informative if we had a guide who could tell us some stories and trivia of the place. I heard there were organized tours at certain hours so visitors planning to visit the museum should check out when.
Sewing threads
Chinatown Heritage Museum
48 Pagoda Street Singapore 059207
Admission Fees
Adults: SG$10
Child (3-12 years): SG$6
Operating Hours
9am to 8pm daily (last admission at 7pm)
A living quarter
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Tags: China town, Heritage, Photography, Singapore
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Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 8:30 am 
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December 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am
This post really benefitted from your b/w grainy treatment of photos. And $10 is doable too.
December 17th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Very cool grainy effects, perfectly capturing the ambience, and its essence.
December 17th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Nice use of mono treatment as well as the film-like grains. I agree, it would’ve nice to have had a guide tell the group stories about each display. I guess the modernity of Singapore contrasts well with the items we can see here, like the old radio.