This is a postcard showing a view of the Raffles Library and Museum in the early 20th century. The Raffles Library and Museum at Stamford Road was officially opened by Sir Frederick Weld, Governor of the Straits Settlements, on 12 October 1887. This coincided with the year of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Designed by Sir Henry McCallum and Major J.F. McNair, the structure was built in response to the need for more space to house the growing collection of books and artefacts held in the old Raffles Institution at Bras Basah Road. Further building extensions were made in 1906, 1916, 1926 and 1934 as the collections continued to grow. The library continued to be part of the museum until 1955 when both departments were separated administratively and the new National Library was set up in a new building adjacent to the original site. The museum section, renamed the National Museum in 1960, continues to occupy the building, which recently underwent major renovation works and reopened in 2006.
