Asian Civilisations Museum
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The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM, Simplified Chinese: 亚洲文明博物馆) is an institution which forms a part of the three museums of the National Museums of Singapore. It is the pioneering museum in the region to specialise in pan-Asian cultures and civilisations, and contributes to the education of Singaporean heritage by tracing the histories of Singapore's forefathers who came to Singapore over the last few centuries. The museum thus specialises in the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia and West Asia, where many of these early Singaporeans came from.
[edit] History
The museum first opened its doors at the Old Tao Nan School building on 22 April 1997, with the exhibits largely centred on Chinese civilization. With the restoration of the Empress Place Building, the museum established its new flagship museum there on 2 March 2003, rapidly expanding the collection to more geographical areas in Asia. This will allow the branch at the Old Tao Nan School building, now known as the Armenian Street branch, to specialise in Peranakan history when it reopens about three to five years after closing on 1 January 2006.
[edit] Highlights
Instead of a chronological order which most museums adopt for their exhibits, the Asian Civilisations Museum is segregated into the various races inhabiting Asia. Each of these sections would have an interactive touch-screen LCD monitors featuring actors/actresses playing the role of a certain Asian ethnic group member which allow users to learn more of these characters.
Certain gallery rooms would also be used to exhibit pieces; primarily from the Asian region on a temporary basis, with the most recent one being the Mystery Men Exhibits from Sanxingdui in 2007.
The museum also boasts of an Asian-themed restaurant with a large selection of local culinary delights and regional cuisines. There are also ballrooms and halls available for functions and Dinner & Dances.
