A Glimpse into Hwa Chong’s History: Hwa Chong’s Heritage Center

Written by: Tan Wen Li, Glenda (24S6K) and Liu Lexi (25S6K)

Edited by: Gilbert Goh (25S6C)

As the sun set on the evening of Hwa Chong’s 106th Founder’s Day (21st February), a striking building next to Hwa Chong’s clock tower was brightly lit and buzzing with conversation. That building was the newly renovated Hwa Chong Heritage Center, and Founders' Day marked its official opening as a testament to the institution’s rich history and cultural legacy. 

Gracing the occasion with his presence was Dr Lim Wee Kiak, former chairman of Hwa Chong’s Board of Governors, who was greeted with a lively and auspicious lion dance and a welcome party consisting of staff and students from Hwa Chong Institution. 

Before the tour of the Heritage Center began, two pieces of good news were announced: first, the original title deed of the land Mr Tan Kah Kee himself purchased a century ago would be officially unveiled. From a mere banana plantation to the school we know and love today – having a piece of history from the start of Hwa Chong’s story displayed within its latest chapter certainly gave a sense of weight to the event and brought it full circle. 

Second, the Heritage Centre had also won the prestigious International Forum (iF) Design Award 2025, the only Singaporean design to win an award under the Cultural Exhibitions category. A glance at its interior would make it easy to see why: a mixture of western classical architectural motifs were blended seamlessly with traditional Chinese ornamentation, creating an intersection between West and East that was both modern and timeless at the same time. Its designer Mr Matthew Lai was also present at the occasion, making the event all the more significant.

Dr Lim signed a calligraphed scroll to mark the official opening of the Heritage Centre, before witnessing the unveiling of the land’s title deed by Dr Seah Liang Xu, chairman of Hwa Chong’s Board of Directors and Mr Chia Min Chong, president of Hwa Chong’s alumni association. 

Next, it was time for a guided tour of the gallery, led by student representatives from both Hwa Chong’s College and High School sections!

A visitor emerging onto the second floor of the building would be greeted by a diorama of the Hwa Chong campuses (both the High School and College sections), as well as models of the old campuses replicated in painstaking detail using Lego bricks enclosed in a glass case. Behind them hangs an oil painting of the high school building, and two touching chinese-language poems dedicated to Hwa Chong by members of its alumni association.

In the gallery proper, the old school bell is displayed alongside an empty wooden chair. Ringing it stirs up fond memories of sitting and chatting the day away with one’s schoolmates with the sounds of the school as a backdrop, and adding to the significance of the audiovisual experience is a panel with the history of Hwa Chong’s own school song, composed by Mr Shao Qing Yuan.

Nearby, a glass-fronted display case holds a collection of yellowed tomes, along with pull-out cabinets containing more historical documents. Wall mounted panels showcase a summary of Hwa Chong’s history: a picture of its founding fathers, then black-and-white images of the school in its infancy, when the campus was still a banana plantation, and finally the graduation photograph of the first batch, consisting of under 30 students! The story of how Hwa Chong’s Board of Directors was formed is, of course, not left out as well, along with a picture of the first members of the board. Miniature statues of figures who were instrumental in Hwa Chong’s journey are displayed below these images, including Mr Lee Kong Chian, a prominent businessman and one of the school’s founding fathers. 

The next room goes into detail about the school's pre-Second World War period, with collections of photographs and certificates donated by the alumni association, as well as past CCA records. Simply glancing at these would be enough to show anyone how much times have changed – in the past, result slips were posted to students’ families, Chinese dialects were used instead of English in communication, and the passing mark for an examination was 60%! For a more tangible showcase of the difference between the past and the present, pre- and post-war school uniforms are displayed on mannequins, with the latter having a much more Western design than the former.  Finally, near the entrance to the next gallery lists of the previous principals, boards of directors, and boards of governors are displayed to pay homage to their contributions, with spaces left blank for their successors to fill in. 

The central gallery transports us to the turbulent postwar years. The display boards recount the school’s relocation to the Nanyang Girls’ High School campus, as the clock tower served as a vantage point for surveillance during World War II. Cabinets containing old textbooks and teaching materials evoke a sense of nostalgia and serve as a testament to Hwa Chong’s rich history. Nearby, a set of the old uniforms of the Chinese High School is displayed, reminiscent of the previous century. A special tribute is paid to Mr. Cheng An Lun, the 11th principal of the Chinese High School serving from 1948 to 1968, who was known for his care towards the students.

Passing through the Corridors of Time, we observe old school equipment that have been preserved. Vintage 2-in-1 desks and chairs are arranged facing a chalkboard, with microscopes and anatomical models – and even a Macintosh computer – lining the shelves, creating the atmosphere of an actual classroom. Copies of old schoolwork left on the desks are accompanied by QR codes, which visitors can scan to find out more. 

In the next few galleries, displays highlight the school’s journey as a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school and, subsequently, an Independent School. A brief history of the Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) is given, accompanied by photographs of prominent figures visiting the school, like Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, highlighting Hwa Chong’s national significance.

Stepping into the College Display section, an artistic shift of black-and-white images giving way to vibrant colour photographs depict the passage through time. A Lego model of Block A is placed in the centre of the gallery, capturing the architectural essence of the school. Nearby, teddy bears are displayed donning the school’s PE attire. These bears are given to students upon graduation.

The final stop is the Alumni section, featuring a touch-screen display which visitors can interact with to learn more about notable alumni and read newspaper articles about them. There is also an immersive theatre in a corner of the gallery, with illuminated display boards telling the history of 黄城夜韵, Huangcheng — Hwa Chong’s iconic theatre performance. A list of past Huangcheng directors and photographs from past performances are also exhibited around the room, serving as a testament to the achievements of generations of students who have worked hard to make it a reality.

As the museum tour comes to an end, we approach a photo-taking spot with a backdrop where visitors can capture their memories of the Kuo Chuan Museum. Towards the exit on the first floor, there are also cabinets displaying trophies won by students and tokens of appreciation from collaborations with schools from all over the world. Stepping out of the museum, we observe coloured lights illuminating the High School’s clock tower, in commemoration of the 106th Founder’s Day. The atmosphere reminds us of the school’s glory and excellence, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.