Giving a Future to Our Past - this vision is what SHS aspires towards, in its primary role to be an independent voice for heritage conservation in Singapore.

SHS is guided by its definition of “heritage” as “the living presence of the past”. We are concerned with how history influences the contemporary present and the future. We also seek to articulate principles and disseminate knowledge about heritage conservation, based on the latest research and international best practices.

For the last four decades, SHS has spoken up to address specific governmental proposals, policies and actions (or lack thereof). In addition to this specificity in response, what we ultimately seek to encourage is also a fundamental shift in mindset amongst Singaporeans. We hope to inculcate a recognition of the critical role that heritage plays in developing our national self-identity, and in fostering our sense of community and inter-personal connections. 

RESEARCH
We develop in-depth specialised knowledge, comprising both academic research studies as well as up-to-date field knowledge from site visits. This knowledge is a critical foundation for our advocacy work and the public programmes/activities which we conduct.

EDUCATION
We conduct public events to spread awareness of new research and other lesser-known aspects of Singapore’s past. Such events include public lectures and book talks, tours to diverse heritage sites, and heritage-themed festivals and conferences.

ADVOCACY
Advocacy is in its broadest sense the key work of the Singapore Heritage Society. We push for a deeper understanding of Singapore’s past amongst a broader spectrum of society, and call for applying best practices in heritage management.

We also believe in having greater stakeholder engagement, especially in planning processes, which can contribute to more robust solutions that fulfil the social, environmental and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

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“Voices of Bukit Brown” Memorial Installation Microsite

LINK TO ARCHIVE PAGE︎︎︎
LINK TO MICROSITE︎︎︎

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By August 2024, SHS had completed installation works for the “Voices of Bukit Brown” memorial installation. Called Sounds of the Earth 「大地回声 穹天有目」, the memorial installation features 81 above-ground artefacts that have been arranged to make up a uniquely designed soundscape designed by visual artist Sai (Chen Sai Hua Kuan). A microsite was also created by mid-2025, for visitors and members of the public to learn more about the memorial installation and its exhibited artefacts.

“Voices of Bukit Brown” is a long-nurtured project launched in 2024 by the Singapore Heritage Society (SHS) and all things Bukit Brown (atBB), with support from the National Heritage Board (NHB). This project advocates for the conservation of Bukit Brown Cemetery through an outdoor memorial installation and a suite of outreach and educational programmes.

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SHS organised the “Bukit Brown Heritage Guide Training Programme 2025” in February 2025, as part of the “Voices of Bukit Brown” project. This is the first iteration of the Training Programme, aimed at training new heritage guides to lead future tour-related programmes in Bukit Brown.

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SHS conducted the "Pulau Brani: A Maritime Legacy Through Taste" culinary workshop as part of Singapore HeritageFest 2025. The culinary workshop showcased Pulau Brani’s cultural heritage through teaching attendees the traditional culinary and gastronomic practices of the former residents and community members of the island.

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Cha-time with SEACHA #40: AI for Heritage & Culture Revitalisation, Reconstruction & Visualisation

WATCH THE DISCUSSION ︎︎︎

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In August 2025, Amira Karim, Kevin Martens Wong and Fauzy Ismail participated in an online panel discussion, “AI for Heritage & Culture Revitalisation, Reconstruction & Visualisation”, under the Cha-time with SEACHA series. They spoke about how AI can be used to help preserve and reimagine cultural heritage, especially in the revitalisation of Kristang language use and conserving the memories of Pulau Brani as two case studies.

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In July 2025, SHS conducted the “Giving a Future to Our Books” book fair and fundraising event, held at The Working Capitol. The book fair featured the sale of books from the SHS back catalogue, many of which had been previously published by the Society and represented many different advocacy themes/projects that the Society was involved in over the past 4 decades since its founding. The book fair also included an arts-and-craft activity, where to-be-discarded materials from SHS archival newsletters and publications were repurposed to make collages. There was also a public talk held as part of the book fair, that featured Hidayah Amin and her book “Gedung Kuning: Memories of a Malay Childhood”, which was published with the Society in 2010. Ms. Amin shared her childhood and familial experiences living in Gedung Kuning in Kampong Glam.