Some Key Takeaways from The "Modern Colony" Exhibit in The National Museum

My visit to the National Museum was an insightful and enriching one. In this essay, I will highlight some of my key takeaways from the “Modern Colony” exhibit and how they have helped to better my own understanding of Singapore’s history. The main themes explained are gender, cosmopolitanism, modernity and technology, all of which are coupled along with the idea of progress.The exhibition space was modelled after a black-and-white bungalow, in a style once commonly used to house European colonial and expatriate families. Mannequins showcasing different pieces of colonial-style British clothing and flamboyant cocktail dresses were on display. Some of the exhibits were glassed up; items such as British novelties, decorative glassware and exquisite tableware. Jazzy music was played subtly in the background. The setting, as a whole, was representative of the culture and lifestyle of the affluent British before World War II.

The first theme explained is gender. Over the years, structural changes such as the expansion of education to include females and external triggers like modernization have led to increased opportunities for women and greater emphasis placed on empowering women. In the early 1900s, the roles of women were mostly confined to the home. In contrast, in the 1920s and 1930s, women started attending school and participating in leisure activities. I feel that the traditional mindset adopted by society at that point in time was the biggest reason as to why women’s roles were limited and confined to the home, despite them having the potential to be as successful as men in the workplace. During colonialism, the British brought in the Western culture, and this culture influenced the mindsets of the locals, resulting in people becoming more liberal and open to change. I feel that this increased acceptance towards a new way of life for women was a key driving factor for the progress of women in all aspects of life, and the exhibit articles support my understanding that British cultural influence attributed to the progress of women in the past.One of the exhibits was a display of a meal setting. The tableware was displayed neatly with proper and elaborate placement.

Great emphasis was placed on the punctuality of gathering for meals. As such, it is evident that good meal etiquette was deeply incorporated in the lives of the British affluent. This sub-culture has been adopted to a certain extent by Singaporeans, as seen by the increasing number of families practicing good table manners and meal punctuality today. As seen from the menu on the table, British meals were elaborate, with their components listed in detail. Most importantly, British diets were cosmopolitan. While the bulk of the dishes were Western fare, local Singaporean food were also included as menu options for certain meals. The British’s integration of local flavor into their dining tastes was a small sign of early cultural development within Singapore. Likewise, we locals have, to a certain extent, incorporated British practices into our lives, especially in this era where Singapore stands as a first-world country in an increasingly globalized world. This exhibit supports my understanding that cosmopolitanism had already started to manifest in the early years of Singapore’s growth.

The next section of the exhibition displayed British-made novelties; luxury items owned mostly only by the affluent during the 1900s. Two notable items on display were a brass gramophone and a vintage sewing machine, both of which were devices representative of modern technology. The consumption of such items gives us an early glimpse of modernity in Singapore at an early stage as lifestyles started to lean toward leisure, enjoyment and appreciation of art. This section of the exhibit also supports my understanding that Singapore has experienced rapid technological progress, as we have evolved from using typewriters and pagers to using computers and smartphones. In conclusion, all of the points discussed in this essay have one thing in common; they all exemplify progress. Over the years, Singapore has made technological, economic and cultural progress, and we, its people, have evolved in the way we think and live. All in all, this exhibition explains and illustrates how British influence has led to Singapore transforming from a modern colony to the cosmopolitan metropolis that it is today.