The year 2025 marks the 150th anniversary of the Singapore Herbarium (SING), established in 1875 by Henry James Murton and now recognised as the second-largest herbarium in Southeast Asia.

This commemorative exhibition showcases the remarkable journey from Murton's modest collection stored in his office to today's world-class repository of approximately 800,000 specimens of plants and fungi. These meticulously preserved collections represent decades of scientific discovery and botanical exploration across the region.

Through thoughtfully arranged displays, explore the art and science of plant preservation, witness the evolution of herbarium techniques, and discover how these invaluable specimens have advanced our understanding of Southeast Asian flora. Learn how SING's exceptional collections contributed significantly to the Singapore Botanic Gardens achieving the prestigious distinction of becoming the first and only tropical botanic garden inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2015.

Witness 150 years of scientific dedication where every pressed specimen tells a story of discovery, conservation, and the relentless pursuit of botanical knowledge that continues to shape our understanding of the natural world and help secure our future.

About the Garden City Fund

The Garden City Fund is a registered charity and Institution of a Public Character (IPC) established by the National Parks Board in 2002. The Fund works with corporations, organisations and individuals to better engage members of the public through conservation efforts, research, outreach and education. In doing so, we hope to cultivate a sense of ownership and encourage the community to play its part in preserving Singapore’s legacy as a lush and vibrant City in Nature.

If you would like to support our projects, please visit https://go.gov.sg/gcfsbg

Level 1, Botanical Art Gallery (Gallop Extension)
From 28 November 2025 to 30 November 2026
Open daily*, 9am - 6pm (Last entry at 5.30pm)
*Closed on the last Thursday of every month

Admission is free.