Introduction

The Civic District (1)

On a glorious Thursday afternoon, a group of industrious students (which is us, in case you're wondering) embarked on a History Heritage Trail after school. Off to The Civic District we went! Being meticulous students, we wrote down our findings and reflections after exploring each site of the trail. This blog is evidence of our "blood, sweat and tears" gained from the trip.

In order to facilitate your understanding of the trip, we have so kindly attached a map of The Civic District Trail 1 which shows the location of the sites covered in the trail.  Most of the 17 locations in the trail (if not all) have been gazetted by the National Heritage Board. Our group explored all 17 locations in 4 hours (that's right) and decided to present to you what we felt was the best and most interesting 15 locations.

Sites of The Civic District Trail 1

In each location, we will explore some background information, some trivia which we have picked up during the trip (which we thought would be interesting) and some reflections about each area. We also uploaded some pictures to complement the post, as we share our observations of each site and the joy of going through the heritage as a group. There will also be a culmination of individual reflections about Singapore History and Cultural Heritage insights after the learning trip.

The Civil District

Esplanade Park

Many might not notice Esplanade Park but treat it as just another ordinary green space in downtown Singapore. Built in 1943 on a plot of reclaimed land, it houses many of the monuments we visited on our trail, including the Cenotaph, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain, the Indian National Army Marker and the Lim Bo Seng Memorial.

Anderson Bridge at the southern end of Esplanade Park, taken on Queen Elizabeth Walk

Remembering Old Makan Places

The Satay Club, an open-air food centre with many hawkers selling satay, was located at the end of Esplanade Park on Queen Elizabeth Walk. Open from sunset till early morning, it was a favourite haunt for people yearning for a taste of one of Singapore's local delicacies, remembered most for the smoke ballooning from the charcoal, the flames fanned with a straw fan, the scent of cooked meat that gets your taste buds going, and not forgetting the satay man toiling and touting away. Situated under big, old trees in a quiet corner of town, the Satay Club's charming, relaxed ambience flavoured with a delightful dose of local aroma made the Satay Club one of the most fondly remembered local food centres. In 1995, however, it was demolished to make way for the Esplanade Theatres and the Nicoll Highway extension.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

One of my English professors has taught me one important lesson: do not just see what is there, see also what is not there. The Esplanade Park has witnessed so many changes, that what we see today is not the full picture. It is merely a snapshot caught in a short span of time, and it most certainly would be different from the snapshots of our fathers, and the snapshots of our sons. These snapshots, far more than being just a source of nostalgia and memory, reminds us of the critical need to live in the moment and realise that nothing is set in stone. (Which is one reason why photography is very close to my heart.)

Taking a wider lens and considering the heritage of Singapore, it is plausible to ask just how much heritage we can afford to retain, and how much simply has to go in the name of progress and pragmatism. Humans have short-term memories - not in a medical sense, but an existential sense. We are temporal in memory, myopic in perception, selective in remembering, and constrained in retelling the stories. (This is perhaps why some simply don't care about history.) It might be wonderful to conserve an archaic way of life for the sake of keeping a history alive, but we know that is impossible. So since by no means can we keep everything the same, as a nation and as an individual we ought to ask: what is really worth keeping?

Dalhousie Obelisk

Dalhousie Obelisk

The Dalhousie Obelisk, located near the Asian Civilisations Museum and Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall, was built to commemorate the visit of the Marquis of Dalhousie, Governer-General of India (1848 to 1856) in February 1850. Originally located near the Dalhousie Pier at the mouth of the Singapore River, it was moved to its present location in 1891 due to land reclamation works that rendered the pier obsolete.

What is an Obelisk

An obelisk is a tall, narrow stone monument that tapers slightly as it ascends and ends with a pyramid at the top. It was first conceived and erected by the ancient Egyptians and has been adapted by many other cultures in their architecture.

Trivia

The architect of Dalhousie Obelisk, John Turnbull Thomson, also designed and built the Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pedra Branca.

The Significance of the Dalhousie Obelisk

As seen from the image above the monument was a reminder to all traders and officials that free trade was what led to the rise of Singapore as a trade settlement, and was to be the foundation of the future successes of Singapore. Its strategic location at the mouth of the Singapore River was to emphasise that message.

The Dalhousie Obelisk's Message For Us Today

I thought about what the text said: "the wisdom of liberating commerce from all restraints" is what "[Singapore's] future prosperity must ever be identified". It supports what we call "globalisation" today. So when I read this statement, several questions popped up: to what extent does it hold true for Singapore today? Should globalisation still be one of the fundamental principles on which our economy is built upon? Given the volatility and unpredictability of the modern world, what are some cautions or consequences of being heavily plugged in to the rest of the world? How are we to manage the influx of foreign people and influences (and the exportation of Singaporeans and Singapore's influences) that inevitably modify our already malleable sense of nationhood and identity? And this would certainly beg the question about our identity: what does it mean to be a Singaporean? I think these questions deserve some attention from Singaporeans of all generations, and an understanding of our past can inform us better in navigating the future.

The Padang

The Padang: Singapore's Central Park

The Esplanade is a long open stretch of field, originally by the sea, located in downtown Singapore. Sitting on the left bank of the River, it was originally called the Padang, which is Malay for "field" or "open ground". It has been the venue of many momentous colonial and national events in the modern history of Singapore.

Padang in Colonial Singapore 

The Padang was a popular place for residents to meet, relax, take walks and find recreation. It had been a place for social gatherings before colonialism, with Malay and Indonesian seafarers racing their boats off the coast near the Padang. In 1834, the Europeans started holding their annual New Year Regattas there and it soon expanded into a full-scale Sports Day. New Year's Eve would bring fireworks to the Padang while New Year celebrations saw the sporting activities of the Singapore Cricket Club and Singapore Recreation Club held here.

Activities in The Padang 

As we walked and explored the area, we were surprised to see many different groups of people participating in a myriad of activities. The Padang was full of life. It was not just a ceremonial field in the heart of the Marina Bay area but an actual "open ground" for people to do whatever they wanted. So, as a group, we decided to participate in some recreation of our own. The Padang is still a popular place for people to gather, relax and find recreation. This was the only site of the Trail where we saw actual locals (non-tourists). Most of the other sites were either filled with groups of tourists or were empty. Finally, we were not the only weird group of people there!

Our "sport" JUMP SHOTS!!!

 

More jump shots

Trivia

Did you know that one of the earliest residents here was Col. William Farquhar? His residence was part of a row of houses that housed some of the most important and influential people of the day.

Suggested Activity

Who were the other famous residents who lived around the Padang?

Find out more about the famous events that are held at the Padang. (Hint: NDP)  

Us guys deep in our thoughts

Lim Bo Seng Memorial

A War Hero

Lim Bo Seng (1909 - 1944) is a much-celebrated anti-Japanese war hero in Singapore. I remember reading a comic book in primary school titled Lim Bo Seng: Singapore's Best Known War Hero. (I only noticed the nuance in the title now.) I also remember watching a heart-wrenching TV series featuring Lim Bo Seng titled The Price of Peace, or 和平的代价. Lim is most well-known for his participation in anti-Japanese activities in Singapore in the 1930s and his work in Force 136, a British resistance group. He was not just celebrated in Singapore; his rank of Major-General was conferred posthumously in February 1946 by the Chinese Nationalist Government.

Theme song of The Price of Peace, with snippets of prominent anti-Japanese figures like Tan Kah Kee and Lim Bo Seng

The Construction of the Memorial

In 1946, the Lim Bo Seng Memorial Committee was established to raise funds for a public memorial for the war hero. Permission was granted to build the memorial in Esplanade Park and was unveiled on 29 June 1954. It is in the form of an octagonal pagoda made of bronze, concrete and marble. There are four bronze plaques around the pagoda giving an account of Lim's life in four languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

The bronze plates, with the wear and tear of time, have oxidised and are now coated by a powdery, metallic green.

The Forgotten War Heroes

As I reflected on the Lim Bo Seng Memorial, I saw that I knew next to nothing about other war heroes and the war effort. It is no overstatement to say that many of us are vaguely aware of the journey Singapore has undertaken since the 1800s. The problem with official education is that while it has done its share in conveying a version of Singapore history, it has also closed off the minds of Singaporeans who perceive history to be objective, homogeneous and static, retarding the discourse and hindering the development of a more comprehensive picture. Thus, while we remember Lim Bo Seng, we might have also forgotten other war heroes who were also equal movers and shakers of Singapore.

Nevertheless, as a nation, we are awakening to the fact that history belongs to the people; a new consciousness that alternatives are available and, more importantly, are potentially as valid or authoritative as the official narrative is emerging. As Kwa Chong Guan noted: "For too long the history of Singapore has been written as a history of great men and their times. But we need to also give a place in time to the little man (and woman) who built the kampung and places that define Singapore."

In terms of appreciating the past, I also learnt that memorials do not just commemorate a person who possessed heroic qualities or committed heroic acts; it commemorates a period of peace and stability earned by a generation of pioneers. We stand on the shoulders of giants who have borne the price for us.

Lim Bo Seng Memorial when it was first built in 1954

Asian Civilisations Museum

Exterior design of Asian Civilisations Museum

Background Information

The Asian Civilisations museum is located at Empress Place Building and was opened to the public on 1 March 2003. John Frederick Adolphus MacNair was the architect and engineer of this building. Upon completion of original construction in 1865, it was intended for use as a Courthouse. In 1907, the placed was revamped to commemorate the visit of the Empress of India, Queen Victoria’s visit to Singapore. After 1959, when Singapore attained self-rule, it housed and operated several government municipal functions, such as the Immigration Department, the Muslim Registry of Religious Council of Singapore, the Registry of Births and Deaths and the Singapore Citizenship Registry. As there was an increase in complexities of functions, the existing space was insufficient to support government facilities, and they subsequently moved out. In 7 April 1989, after 14 months of renovation, the first showcase of major Chinese dynasties did not attract the following that it needed to stay afloat and closed in 1995. In a bid to preserve and promote heritage in Singapore, the National Heritage Board labelled this place as a national monument in 1992, and re-opened it as an Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in 2003 – a second wing showing Asian Civilisation on top of its existing branch at Armenian Street. It has since gone through multiple phases of revamping and re-construction. Today, it is the first museum in the region to present a broad, yet integrated perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilisations. This is reflective of the roots of Singapore’s historic past, which stemmed from our forefathers who came from diverse regions. Therefore, the focus on this museum is to demonstrate the material cultures of the different groups originating from China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia. 

When we entered the building, the designs and architectural form adopts a neoclassical European Style, underscoring Singapore’s colonial past under the British Rule. The first storey is a reception area for visitors and has 2 open galleries to house seasonal exhibitions to showcase the history, people and cultures of major civilisations. During our visit, 1 gallery spot was opened to the public to exhibit the history of Zodiac Symbols. 

Singapore and Southeast Asia Collections on the Second Floor

On the second floor, there are 11 galleries which permanently house 5 components: Singapore River, Southeast Asia, West Asia, China and South Asia collections. In the former, it provides information on the roles of this river to the commercial and social life in the history of Singapore. These presentations of findings are anchored on pictures and archaeological digs.  They are also a continuous emphasis of how trade has promoted the prosperity and affluence to Singapore.

In the latter, there is a showcase of over 1300 artefacts from the Museum's growing collections on the civilisations of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia/Islam. Some collections include recent acquisitions as well as artefacts inherited from the historic Southeast Asian ethnographic collection of the former Raffles Museum. It is also noteworthy that the gallery employs state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that the experience of the tour would be as relevant and realistic as possible.

Reflections

The Asian Civilization Museum is an overview of cultures found in pan-Asia, and it reflects the cultural make-up of Singapore’s multi-ethnic society. I find the experience in this place to be enriching, because there is really a repertoire of information displayed. There is a good effort to consolidate various cultural aspects in a single space, but I find it a bit messy and there are chunks of long paragraphs. The presentation of information on the boards is slightly verbose and I think the museum can use different layouts, colours and fonts to make the viewing experience a more appealing one. Interestingly, most of the visitors present in the museum were foreigners. There were barely any locals present, except for our group. I think this is something we can work on: to encourage locals to see the importance of heritage and recognise that it is the duty and responsibility of every local to see heritage as their own.  

There are also cases when there are artefacts displayed in the Southeast Asian and India sections, but no interpretations, except for a simple label. I find it to be exceptionally puzzling, because visitors would simply walk past without a firm understanding of what they have seen. It occurred to me that this museum was more of an avenue of visual satisfaction, than a provision and dispensary of learning experiences. Whether or not this museum has been appealing to them is open to debate, but I believe there must be a purpose for putting artefacts in the museum. Hence, I am sure there could be more curators around to deconstruct and explain the significance of these artefacts.

Trivia

Do you know that the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) was named the top museum in Singapore and ranked ninth in Asia? Also, the restored building won the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s 2003 Architectural Heritage Award.

Suggested Activity

Research on all the accolades of Asian Civilisation Museum since its re-opening in 2003.

A Group Picture Outside the Asian Civilisations Museum

Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall

The Exterior Design of Victoria Theatre

Background Information

This National Monument, which was gazetted in 14 February 1992 by the National Heritage Board, consists of a Town Hall (completed in 1862), a Memorial Hall (built in 1905) and a clock tower (built in 1906). In June 2010, the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall was closed for major renovations and refurbishments. During this period, a passageway connecting the theatre and concert hall was converted into an air-conditioned public atrium. 

Getting closer to the architecture

Similar to the Asian Civilizations Museum, the design adopts a European Neoclassical Palladian style – a common style for buildings in 19^th Century British Singapore. 

The Assembly Rooms, which hosted local dramas and operas, were dilapidated and the authorities felt the need for a new facility. Hence, the new town hall was built to serve as a theatre on its ground floor and house government functions, such as offices and a meeting room, on its second floor. As a result of an increase in administrative functions, the offices gradually moved out. In 1901, a resolution was passed to build a memorial hall to remember the memories of Queen Victoria. The design was to integrate the existing Victoria Town Hall and the new building was to be named as Victoria Memorial Hall in 1905. At the same time, the Town Hall was renamed Victoria Theatre. Before the construction, the colonial government raised $368,000 with $28,000 to spare. The extra cash was used to refurbish the theatre in the Town Hall and to unify the facades of the two buildings. In 1906, a 54-metre clock tower was erected to join the two buildings. In 1979, the Victoria Memorial Hall was renovated and renamed Victoria Concert Hall.

Third Floor of Victoria Concert Hall – Exhibition Booth Showcasing the Changes It Lived Through

The Victoria Concert Hall played a critical role in Singapore’s political landscape. During World War II, it served as a hospital for the wounded and was the location for the trial of Japanese war criminals after their surrender. From 1948, the Hall became pivotal for the conducting of various civil and constitutional functions. It was a meeting place for the briefing of election officials and the counting of ballot papers. On 21 November 1954, the People’s Action Party (PAP) held their inaugural meeting in this place.

Between 1952 and 1958, the buildings underwent major renovations with the interiors restructured so that air-conditioning and soundproofing could be added. In 1979, it was renovated again, with a gallery added to bring the total seating capacity to 937. It has since been the home of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO).

In 2014, renovation works for both halls were completed. To promote intimacy and old-world charm, the seating capacity for the theatre and concert hall was reduced. The theatre now has 614 seats compared to 900 and the seating capacity for the concert hall reduced from 883 to 673 seats.

Reflections

Personally, I think it is interesting that despite its multiple renovations and changes in functions since its inception, the local authorities and engineers have retained the original architectural flavour of a Palladian style. Even today, it has not lost its cultural significance as a centre for the fine arts.  However, when I was there with my Heritage Trail friends in the afternoon, the place was almost empty. Perhaps, this place is only crowded when there are specific events or concerts, and more specifically, in the evenings when musicals or symphonic orchestra begin their performance.

I think that the local authorities can do more to reduce the monotony of this place in the day, maximize its usage and promote vibrancy. For example, every month there could be a theme, and local performers or artistes who wish to showcase their talent may come to the atrium at Victoria Concert Hall. It could be one of the many ways for amateurs in this scene to step up and gain exposure and experience in stage-performing. More school art exhibitions can also take place in the atrium, and I think it is a useful avenue for tourists to gain an understanding of the budding arts and cultural scene in Singapore, and a way for niche organizations to search and groom potential students who are talented in this area. 

Trivia

Do you know that the building and construction of the atrium which connects the theatre and concert hall seamlessly and the refurbishment cost $158 million?

Suggested Activity

Find out how many local and international concerts are conducted annually in this place.

A Group Picture at the Atrium of Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall

Raffles Landing Site

Raffles Landing Site

Background Information

This statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, sculpted by Thomas Woolner, is a national iconic representation located at Empress Place, in front of Victoria Memorial Hall, immortalizing his instrumental role of establishing Singapore as a vital trading post. This statue depicts Raffles in an upright position, arms folded, with an unambiguous demeanour of confidence, demonstrating his figure of authority and glorifying his contributions to Singapore. It is important to note that this statue is actually a copy of the original dark bronze statue, and was placed here in 1969 on the 150th anniversary of Singapore’s founding. This should not be confused with the original dark bronze statue currently located in front of the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall in Empress Place, which was unveiled on Jubilee Day on 27 June 1887.

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles was a British Colonial Official with the East India Company. He and William Farquhar, a former British resident at Amboina, were on the lookout for a strategically situated way station in the Malay Archipelago which would play in the East the role Malta was playing in the West. He planned the city, prepared laws, and laid the foundation of the Singapore Institution, a Malay school.

Reflections

I think that where Raffles is situated in the urban landscape is strategic and deliberated, and it prominently exhibits people’s open admiration for his contributions towards Singapore. Many would also conveniently assume that where the statue is placed would be where Raffles first stepped foot, since it is located just beside the Singapore River. It is near many tourist hallmarks and against a backdrop of high-rise urban buildings. Hence, it feels to me that this structure is installed with elements of didacticism and it could be to honour the memory of Raffles and educate the young on the significance of Raffles’ contributions to Singapore.

A bronze shield is also affixed to the base of the granitic pedestal, with an inscription indicating that Raffles’ “genius and perception changed the destiny of Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great seaport and modern metropolis”. The colour of this inscription directly juxtaposes the ‘white statue’, and it makes it very apparent and perceptible to any locals or foreigners who walk past the statue.

A statue of Raffles acquired a symbolic significance which far transcended the historical reality that he founded Singapore, yet this claim is met with competing definitions of what a “founder” means. If a “founder” would refer to one who introduced colonization to Singapore and planned Singapore to be on the global map for its extensive entrepot activities, then Sir Stamford Raffles is unequivocally the best option. Otherwise, if a “founder” is one who has carried out the process of developing its political, social and economic attributes, then it would be useful to consider Major-General William Farquhar (1st Resident of Singapore) or Dr. John Crawford (2nd Resident of Singapore).

With the statue of Raffles built at the heart of the urban town, I also feel that society might have implicitly endorsed the perceived benefits of the British legacy in relation to Singapore’s early development. This might be true to some extent. However, it might have downplayed the counter-narratives that the British mostly acted in self-interest and the instances when the British did not consider the needs of Singaporeans in their decision-making during the colonial period.  

Trivia

Do you know why the statue was shifted from Padang, facing the sea, between St Andrew's Road and Connaught Drive to the Empress Place? This is because Padang used to be a popular football field for players to congregate. However, the statue was subjected to waylaid balls and was often used as a “box seat” during games. To ensure that this precious monument is not compromised, they moved it to Empress Place.

Suggested Activity

Consider names of historic figures who were critical in the founding of Singapore, but that no monuments were erected. 

Aspiring Historians at Raffles Landing Site

City Hall

Zoe posing with City Hall

Due to the ongoing construction of the National Gallery, we were not able to go into City Hall. Hence, we only managed to take a few pictures of the building and head towards the Old Supreme Court. 

National Gallery

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, at the 2005 National Day Rally Speech, gave a sneak peek into the government's plan to convert the Old Supreme Court Building and City Hall into a new national gallery. This project was then officially announced during the Singapore Biennale 2006. 

City Hall in Colonial Singapore

The land with which City Hall now stands were once occupied by the private residences of Dr William Montgomerie of the East India Company and Thomas Church, the Resident Councillor. In 1926, the two homes were demolished to make way for the Municipal Building which was used to accommodate the growing administrative services. Its name was changed to City Hall in 1951 with the proclamation of Singapore as a city by King George VI.

On-going Construction

Singapore’s City Council called it home until 1963 and, after its evacuation, several other government departments (Public Utilities Board, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the former Ministry of Culture) had their offices here before the Singapore judiciary staked its claim. It was gazetted as a national monument in 1992

Trivia

The National Gallery is scheduled to be completed in 2015 and will be the largest visual arts venue in Singapore and the region.

Suggested Activity

Research on how much was spent by the National Heritage Board to renovate and refurbish the National Gallery.

Civilian War Memorial

Civilian War Memorial

"Chopsticks'"Can you see the Resemblance?

As a kid, whenever I passed through Raffles Boulevard, my parents would always point out the Civilian War Memorial and share stories of how my grandparents lived through the Japanese Occupation. My parents would always refer to it as "chopsticks" and that name stuck with me till today. Actually, the structure of the Civilian War Memorial comprises of four identical pillars that soars to more than 68 metres, symbolising the shared "war experiences" of the Chinese, Indians, Malays, and other races.

On 15 February 1962, mass war graves were found in Siglap. The Straits Times reported the discovery of five separate war graves located in a "Valley of Tears" in the Siglap area. It was believed that they were the remains of the victims of the Sook Ching Massacre. The massacre by the Japanese took place during their occupation from 1942 to 1945 where Chinese men were rounded up, machine-gunned and buried in the beaches of Singapore. The remains were uncovered during sandwashing operations in an area off the 7.5-mile Siglap Road. The Civilian War Memorial is built over a burial chamber that contains these exhumed remains from the mass graves.The Monument was unveiled by then Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew on 15 February 1967, the 25th anniversary of the fall of Singapore. Since its completion and unveiling, every year on 15 February, ex-servicemen, families and others gather at the memorial to commemorate that fateful day.

Trivia

Remembering the Dead

Partnership with the Government

The $750,000 construction cost for the War Memorial was jointly funded by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Singapore Government.  The funds were taken from the $25 million paid by the Japanese Government to the Singapore Government as atonement for the atrocities committed during Japan's occupation of Singapore.

Group Photo :)

Suggested Activity

Find out what are the events that are carried out annually at the Civilian War Memorial,

Conclusion

It is common to see monuments and landmarks that decorate our urban spaces. However, a heritage trail is almost unheard of until we came to the module AAH103, Singapore History, and was tasked with this project. Apart from the fun that we had during this trail, all of us definitely learned more about our history and heritage after exploring each site. Common to all the locations was the idea of preservation, re-construction and renovation. As we examined these locations, they reveal snippets of our colonial past and the developments that Singapore underwent over the years. Though we are still not fully equipped with the knowledge of Singapore's entire history and cultural heritage, we are glad that the National Heritage Board has sought to preserve these spaces in order to keep the historic past of Singapore relevant and sustainable for the future. While this marks an end to the heritage trail, we will continue to find out more about our homeland and gain new insights about its past. We had a great time doing this blog, and we hope you also had an enjoyable time reading it.

"Za!" (Childhood game)

"Stand on the thing and pose guys!"

"Okay now everyone look away." / "Bryson can you be more serious!!!"

"Noah go up to take your OOTD!" 

Noah: Part-time student, full-time model.

"1... 2... 3... Jump!" 

"Everyone come!"

References

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21. Tan, Bonny. "Singapore Cricket Club." Singapore Cricket Club. Accessed March 11, 2015. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_144_2004-12-30.html.

22. "The Esplanade." The Esplanade. Accessed March 14, 2015. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_149_2004-12-13.html.

23. “Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.” Singapore Infopedia. Accessed March 11, 2015. http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_770_2004-12-16.html.

Tan Kim Seng Fountain

Who is Tan Kim Seng

Tan Kim Seng was a third-generation Straits Chinese. He was a wealthy trader and property owner with business interests in tin. Other than being a businessman, he was a philanthropist who contributed back to society by building a Chinese free school on Amoy Street by the name of Chui Eng Si E. He also built roads later named Kim Seng Road (between River Valley Road and Havelock Road), including a bridge that linked the road across the Singapore River.

Reasons for Having This Memorial

To commemorate Tan's generous contribution towards the building of the waterworks, the Municipal Commissioners erected the Tan Kim Seng Fountain at Fullerton Square. It was officially unveiled on 19 May 1882. Made by Andrew Handyside & Co from England, the Victorian-style iron fountain has three tiers and is decorated with classical figures. As part of a S$1.12-million restoration project, the 7-metre-tall cast-iron fountain was rust-proofed and a new foundation was built. On 28 December 2010, the Tan Kim Seng Fountain was labelled as a national monument.

Reflections

Previously, every time I walk past this place, I would only stop and admire the fountain. I would be wondering to myself: why is there a fountain built in the middle of nowhere? However, after this trip, I realised that the fountain was erected in memory of a great man, Tan Kim Seng. I also got to know more about the contributions he made for the society. Lastly, I realised that there is always a story behind the monuments that were erected and that the monuments preserve the legacy of these stories.

Trivia

One of our group member was so impressed by the fountain that he started dancing. :D

Suggested Activity

Find out if the design of this fountain reflects anything about Mr Tan Kim Seng. 

Cenotaph

The clear blue sky and the Cenotaph

Background Information

A cenotaph is an "empty tomb" or a monument erected in honour of a group of people whose remains are found elsewhere. The Cenotaph in Singapore is located at Esplanade along Connaught Drive. It is a war memorial that commemorates the men who died in World War I and World War II. In December 2010, it was declared a national monument together with two other structures in Esplanade Park: the Lim Bo Seng Memorial and the Tan Kim Seng Fountain.

Purpose of Erecting this Memorial

The purpose of the memorial was first in honour of a total of 124 men based in Singapore who died in World War I, their names carved on the base of the cenotaph. After World War II, the reverse side of the base of the Cenotaph was used to commemorate those who died in World War II. The names of those who sacrificed in World War II were however not carved on the base of the memorial. Instead, the phrase "They died so we might live" was inscribed in 4 languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.

Reflections

This was our group's second stop at the Esplanade Park after the INA Marker. When we arrived there, the sky was clear blue and the sun was shining on the Cenotaph. It was a beautiful sight. This must have been Heaven's blessing on the people who sacrificed themselves for the peace we have today. I personally feel thankful for those who sacrificed, so that we may live. At the same time, I hope that there will be no more war because behind these names are the sorrows of their family members as well. Hence, I think that the significance of this monument is also to remind us to protect our nation from war and to cherish the peace that we have now. In my opinion, the reason behind inscribing the phrase "They died so we might live" in the 4 languages is to acknowledge the contributions the 4 races have made during the wars and serve as a reminder that there will only be peace if racial harmony is maintained.

Trivia

This is one part of the course for the annual Army Half Marathon (AHM).

Suggested Activity

Find out the number of times the Cenotaph was vandalised and the consequence for vandalising a national monument.

Indian National Army Marker

Our Group Casting a "AAH103" Shadow on the INA Marker

Background Information

The Indian National Army Marker, located in Esplanade Park, is a monument erected in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Purpose of the Indian National Army Marker

During the Japanese occupation of Singapore, one of the leaders, Subhas Chandra Bose, who led India during the freedom struggle against the British, visited Singapore to lay the foundation stone of this monument, which was to be dedicated to unknown soldiers of the Indian National Army, fighting in the jungles of Manipur, Assam and Burma. However, the original monument at Esplanade that was erected just before the Japanese surrender was demolished when the British returned. The current Indian National Army Marker erected in 1995 by the government was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Reflections

This was our group's first stop after the cluster by the Singapore River. We walked for quite a while in Esplanade Park before we could find this monument. In my opinion, this marker was not as prominent as the others. I wonder if this was because the contributions of the Indian National Army was not as significant as compared to, say, Raffles. Hence, this shows that the preservation of heritage is rather selective because by placing less importance on a monument, it is a subtle message that the authorities place lesser value in the promoting of the history behind the monument. 

Fun Fact

When we reached the monument, we decided to do something creative. We decided to leave our"mark" on the monument by casting a shadow of our course code "AAH103" on the monument!

Suggested Activity

Find out more information of the Indian National Army as well as Subhas Chandra Bose.