Singapore Philatelic Museum (SPM) and the Peranakan Museum – institutions under the National Heritage Board, will be closed for redevelopment later this year to refresh the museums’ infrastructure, content and offerings to enhance the visitor experience for Singaporeans. This will be a major redevelopment for both museums since SPM’s opening in 1995, and the Peranakan Museum’s launch in 2008. SPM will be closed to the public from 18 March 2019, and is expected to re-open to the public in end 2020. The Peranakan Museum will be closed from 1 April 2019, and will re-open in mid-2021.

Dedicated to showcasing Singapore’s rich philatelic heritage, SPM uses stamps as windows to introduce Singapore’s heritage and culture, as well as our connections to the world. Located at 23-B Coleman Street, the building that houses SPM was formerly part of the Anglo Chinese School, and later the Methodist Book Room. SPM was officially opened on 19 August 1995 as a project of the Telecommunication Authority of Singapore. Since 2000, the museum has been managed by NHB.

Redevelopment works at SPM will include essential infrastructural upgrades to the museum building, as well as a revamp of the permanent and changing galleries to improve visitor experience.

Leading up to its closure for redevelopment on 18 March, SPM will be organising three Open Houses which will offer free entry for everyone. SPM will also offer special programmes such as Chinese New Year activities on 6 February, and a last chance to catch The Little Prince exhibition and accompanying programmes on 10 & 17 March 2019.

The Peranakan Museum explores the art and culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia, and possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive public collections of Peranakan objects. Located at 39 Armenian Street, the building that houses the Peranakan Museum was formerly the Tao Nan School that was built in 1912. The old Tao Nan building was first converted to the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in 1994, and subsequently redeveloped into the Peranakan Museum in 2008. The upcoming redevelopment of the Peranakan Museum will include a complete revamp of all permanent galleries with new displays and content.

Ahead of its closure for redevelopment, the Peranakan Museum will be holding an Armenian Street Party on 15 and 16 March 2019, as part of NHB’s annual Singapore Heritage Festival. The Peranakan Gallery at Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 will continue its operations, and will feature a new rotation of exhibits later this year. The Peranakan Museum will also be organising pop-up exhibitions at the public libraries in collaboration with the National Library Board to continue to engage Singaporeans on our Peranakan culture.