Singapore 1819: A Living Legacy

The story of modern Singapore as told through its living heritage is encapsulated in this handsome book, published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Singapore’s founding as a city-state. Today’s vibrant, cosmopolitan country developed a singular identity through the many colourful ‘ingredients’ outlined in this book. Starting with the founding of modern Singapore by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, we review the many events, people, artefacts, legends and lifestyles pre- and post-1819 that contributed to make Singapore the unique city it is today.

This is the first book to encompass all aspects of Singaporean heritage — be it artistic, cultural or natural heritage. Historic personages, monuments, architecture and the arts, cultures and traditions, and flora and fauna are all covered in their many facets. The book showcases how much of 1800s and early 1900s Singapore remains today, thereby presenting a lesser-known side to the city-state — one that is surprisingly historic and richly evocative, a different face to a place more often associated with a stark modernity.

Insightful, lively texts by museum director and heritage expert, Kennie Ting, are accompanied by archival images, contemporary photographs, maps and more, to present a comprehensive picture of the city-state — past and present.