SBG Heritage Museum

About the Museum
Step into the SBG Heritage Museum and discover the evolving story of Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site!

The SBG Heritage Museum showcases stories that have unfolded since 1859 — from Mad Ridley wandering with rubber seeds in his pockets, to perfecting orchid hybridisation and making it Singapore's soft power, to being a beloved spot for weddings, proposals, and treasured memories.

Refreshed in 2023 with new interactive exhibits, the museum reveals how botanical research here shaped Singapore and the region, while celebrating this cherished green space where generations have created memories.

About the Building
The SBG Heritage Museum is housed in the historic Holttum Hall in the Gardens' Tanglin Core. Built in 1921 as the Gardens' Director's office and laboratory, this two-storey building has been designated as a conservation building by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and is the first net-zero heritage building in the Gardens.

The building holds special significance as the former workplace of Professor Eric Holttum, the Gardens' Director from 1925 to 1949. Here, he developed a revolutionary orchid breeding technique that enabled efficient seedling production in sterile flasks — a breakthrough that sparked regional orchid industries and remains in use today.

This historic setting provides the perfect backdrop for exploring the Gardens' rich heritage, where the walls themselves have witnessed decades of botanical innovation.