50 Best Kept Secrets of the Istana: History and Heritage

Discover 50 little-known facts about the Istana's history and heritage, from its completion in 1869 as Government House, where Singapore's governors lived, to its renaming as the Istana.

Using archival research surrounding the history of Singapore from its colonial days, this book helps you learn about the country’s past in an easy-to-follow manner. For example, did you know that an insect was partly responsible for the siting of the Istana? Or that six months after it was completed, people started wandering into the Government House because they wanted to check out the fancy furniture that came from England and Europe? And did you know that Singapore's first President Yusof Ishak thought the Istana's main building was too grand for him and his family to stay in? 

Irene Hoe plied her craft in The Straits Times and its sister newspapers for 26 years as opinion columnist, political reporter, culture and heritage writer and copy editor. Since leaving ST in 2004, she has counted GolinHarris, Lien Foundation, GIC and Straits Times Press among her clients. The author of Collins Illustrated Guide to Singapore (1989), Singapore From The Air (1990), among other titles, Hoe is also an accomplished editor, most recently of the books Intelligent Island (2017) and Second Beginnings: Senior Living Redefined (2018).

Quek Hong Shin is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator who has worked with The Straits Times and has designed advertorials for companies like Epson, HP and Samsung. He was one of the Top 10 winners in the Open Category of IMAGINE Jewel Competition (2014) for illustration on Project Jewel, organised by Changi Airport Group. His picture book for children, The Amazing Sarong (2015), was shortlisted for the Hedwig Anuar Children’s Book Award in 2018 and the Best Children’s Title for the Singapore Book Awards in 2016.