One of the oldest districts in Singapore, Bras Basah is the arts and heritage district in Singapore’s civic centre.
Due to its central location, Bras Basah was deemed ideal to set up schools and places of worship. Several schools were once located in the area, including St Joseph’s Institution and Anglo-Chinese School. While these schools have relocated over the years, Bras Basah has seen the establishment of newer educational institutions like the Singapore Management University and School of the Arts.
While the area has been developed and modernised to some extent over the years, some of its original buildings remain the same. One of the more prominent is the National Museum of Singapore, which is the same building that used to house the former Raffles Library and Museum, as well as the Armenian Church. The buildings that once housed schools have also been repurposed, such as the former Anglo-Chinese School now housing the National Archives of Singapore, and the former Tao Nan School now housing the Peranakan Museum.
With a mix of historical and new buildings, a visit to Bras Basah will be an opportunity to experience both old and modern Singapore.
Audiovisual Recordings
1. English For You: Old Singapore (2) (ETV)
Date: 1972
Acc No. 2019033907
Ministry of Education, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
This video, targeted at Secondary 1 students, introduces a number of heritage buildings built by early immigrants in Singapore. One such building was the Armenian Church of St. Gregory.
2. Berita Singapura: Care for Abandoned Children
Date: 1960s
Acc No. 1982000284
Ministry of Culture, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Before it was redeveloped as Chijmes, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus was a girls’ school and also housed a creche for abandoned babies in the 1960s. This video shows how the children in the creche were cared for and educated by the sisters of the convent.
3. News 5 Tonight
Date: 2008
Acc No. 2008003638
Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
This video shows the inauguration of Singapore’s Night Festival. Organised by the National Museum of Singapore, the festival also featured performances outside the museum.
Photographs
1. Multiview picture postcard featuring four institutions of learning in Singapore: Raffles Institution, Anglo-Chinese School, St. Mary’s Home and School, and St Joseph’s Institution, circa 1912-1920.
Arshak C Galstaun Collection, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
2. Raffles Library and Museum (now the National Museum of Singapore) at Stamford Road, 1920s.
Courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Oral History Interviews
1. Oral History Interview with Rajabali Jumabhoy, a prominent businessman and community leader
Acc No. 000074
He shares his memories of Bras Basah Road, where his stayed.
2. Oral History Interview with Tan Siok Cheng, a veteran educator and school principal
Acc No. 003812
She shares her memories of Bras Basah Road near the St Joseph’s Institute where she taught at the time
Declassified Government Files
1. Public Relations - Programme
Period: 1963 - 1974
File Reference: NL 266-62 Vol 1
Creating Agency: National Library file
To keep the young ones gainfully engaged during school holidays, and introduce them to the library, the National Library (NL) was buzzing with activities for children during the months of May, June, September, November and December. This file describes the special programming at NL during national holidays like Hari Raya, Christmas and Children's Day.
2. Minutes of Committee Meetings - Seminar on Youth
Period: 11/05/1966 - 26/07/1973
File Reference: NL 296-62 Vol 1
Creating Agency: National Library file
To look into the needs of young people, the National Library (NL) designated a committee to evaluate if the services provided for this age group were relevant, and the books provided adequate and appropriate. In order to get more in touch with the library users, and promote reading, staff took turns to give book talks on Saturdays. The talks were based around topics thought to be interesting to young people such as, voyages of discovery, manners, family life, and men at war.
3. Young Peoples Services - Programme: Reports and Correspondence
Period: 15/10/1973 - 29/01/1974
File Reference: NL 19-66 Pt 2 Vol 1
Creating Agency: National Library file
The library must have seemed a formidable place to many. Various educational, cultural and recreational activities were organized at the National Library (NL) by the Young People's Service to draw in those who had never visited it. Topics covered personal development and self-improvement, helping the teens discover their passions and career interests.