The Changi Chapel and Museum, which closed in 2018 for major redevelopment, reopens its doors on 19 May 2021.
Source: Changi Chapel and Museum
Venue: Changi Chapel and Museum, 1000 Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707
Hours: Tue – Sun: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm (last entry: 5 pm)
Admission: Adult: $8 | Concession (60 years and above, Student and Special Access): $5
Free for Singaporeans, PRs and Children 6 years and below
An iconic monument dedicated to the Prisoner of Wars (POWs) who endured the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in World War II, the Changi Chapel and Museum (CCM) closed its doors in 2018 for major redevelopment works. Now the museum is reopening its doors.
Located near the Changi Prison, the newly transformed museum will shed light on the riveting personal stories of prisoners of POWs and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during the Japanese Occupation.
On showcase are over 100 artefacts, consisting of donations and community loans from families of the internees. A 400-page diary in which every entry was written as a letter to the owner’s wife, a Kodak Baby Brownie Camera, given to Sergeant John Ritchie Johnston by his wife, which he kept hidden during his incarceration, and a toothbrush fashioned from scratch, are just some of the artefacts you will find in the space.
If you have been to CCM before the transformation you may recognize some of the artefacts such as the morse code device hidden in a matchbox and replicas of biblical murals.
Source: Changi Chapel and Museum
The narrative begins with an introduction to the history of Changi, which underwent a transformation when in the 1920s the British started to construct batteries and barracks to protect Singapore from attack. Then moves on to delve into the daily lives of the internees, their responses to the challenges they faced, and their eventual liberation across its eight galleries.
The CCM’s new multimedia offerings include a re-created Changi Gaol cell where the internees were housed. You can enter the cell to get a sense of the cramped living confines and even listen to historical recordings of conversations between the internees which offer a glimpse into their living conditions and daily experiences.
Source: Changi Chapel and Museum
In the concluding section, you can look up the names and personal stories of the internees. You are also welcome to contribute any memories you have of the internees to add to and preserve the legacies of those who passed through Changi's gates.
If you would like a keepsake of your visit, you can purchase CCM publications and museum-inspired merchandise from the museum shop.
To commemorate the reopening of CCM, all visitors will enjoy free admission from 19 to 30 May 2021. You are encouraged to pre-book your museum admission tickets. Visitors without pre-booked entry time slots may be required to return at a later time.
Photos: Changi Chapel and Museum
