Peranakan Museum @ Armenian Street
39 Armenian Street
Singapore 179941
Tel (65) 6332 7591

Peranakan Museum @ Armenian Street

The Peranakan Museum at 39 Armenian Street is the latest addition to the National Heritage Board’s family of museums. It will operate under the Asian Civilisations Museum. Peranakan Museum presents a Southeast Asian-wide view of Peranakan culture. Its rich material legacy and heritage are enhanced by state-of-the-art display technology, coupled with educational interactives for the young.

Unique features and highlights of the Peranakan Museum are:

1. It houses the world’s finest and most comprehensive Peranakan collection
2. It is a museum featuring a living culture
3. It features 10 permanent galleries fitted with state-of-the-art lighting and other cutting edge interactive features. The galleries will feature the following:

a. Gallery 1 (Level 1) : Origins
This gallery introduces visitors to the world of the Peranakans, focusing on the communities in Singapore, Malacca, Penang – and beyond.

b. Galleries 2 – 5 (Level 2) : Wedding
Four galleries are devoted to the story of the traditional 12-day Peranakan wedding, where significant ceremonies like the lap chai (exchange of gifts) and chiu thau (coming of age) are presented. Visitors can also see the elaborate wedding chamber and a wedding procession taking place indoors.

c. Gallery 6 (Level 3) : Nonya
This gallery showcases textile arts like beadwork, along with a display on the Nonya kebaya . The role of literary forms like childhood ditties in transmitting cultural values to Peranakan children will be explored as well.

d. Gallery 7 (Level 3) : Religion
Religion and beliefs of the Peranakans in a series of spectacular displays are explored in this gallery.

e. Gallery 8 (Level 3) : Public Life
This section brings visitors into the realm of commerce, politics and social affairs. Prominent Peranakans in Singapore’s history will be featured in a changing display.

f. Gallery 9 (Level 3) : Food and Feasting
Food and feasting in Peranakan culture are orchestrated with a grand banquet setting, and the world’s best collection of nonya porcelain.

g. Gallery 10 (Level 3) : Conversations
This concluding section explores how today’s Peranakans feel about their heritage and the future of their culture.

h. Special Exhibitions Galleries
These two galleries will feature changing specific-themed exhibitions. The inaugural special exhibition, “Junk To Jewels: The Things that Peranakans Value”, is guest curated by by Peter Lee, a Peranakan art historian.