PUBLISHED November 25th, 2013 04:53 am | UPDATED May 9th, 2018 03:13 am
Dedicated to Singapore’s history during World War II, a visit to the Changi Museum will definitely leave you feeling poignant, but also more appreciative of the spirit and commitment of those who braved the dark days of the Japanese Occupation.
Following the Fall of Singapore in Febuary 1942, thousands of civilians and Prisoners Of War (POW) were detained in the Changi Prison and made to live under horrendous conditions – the Changi Museum serves as a tribute to their bravery and heroism during those dark days. The Changi Chapel onsite was also originally built by Allied POWs (mostly Australians) in 1944, and British POW, Sgt. Harry Stodgen built a Christian cross out of a used artillery shell following that. After the war, the original chapel was dismantled and shipped to Australia and the Christian cross shipped back to the United Kingdom – only to welcome a replica chapel in 1988.
Today, the Changi Museum contains collections of paintings, photographs and personal effects donated by former POW, allowing modern-day visitors to truly gain emotional insight into the terrors experienced by the detained. The Changi Museum is currently hosts 45-minute guided tours and audio tours, which the latter featuring the experiences of men and women who were imprisoned in Changi during the Second World War.
All we can say that the Changi Museum is a definite must visit for those who had always wished to know more about Singapore before its days of modernity, or those who would simply wish to pay respects to those who had fought for everything Singapore is today.
Admission rates are from $8++ for adults, and from $4++ for children.
Phone: 6214 2451
Web: http://www.changimuseum.sg/
Email: changimuseum@singnet.com.sg
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am – 5:00pm; last admission at 4.30pm