Safeguarding our tangible heritage for future generations

Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth at the launch of Milestones Through Monuments programme at the Asian Civilisations Museum

Her Excellency Kara Owen, British High Commissioner to Singapore,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon. It is my pleasure to join you for the gazette of three Singapore River Bridges – namely the Cavenagh, Anderson and Elgin (el-ghin) Bridges – as Singapore’s 73rd National Monument collectively.
   
   

   Bridging connections

2. The gazette of the Singapore River Bridges gives them the highest level of protection under our laws. This enables the Government to preserve these magnificent structures so that future generations of Singaporeans will also be able to understand and appreciate our heritage. The gazette is especially meaningful as it takes place on our Bicentennial year, prodding us to reflect on the lessons of our past that can guide us in facing the future together.
3. The bridges have witnessed the progress of our nation over the past two centuries. The historic mouth of the Singapore River was the old harbour of Singapore. It is the place where many of our forefathers first set foot ashore, and later made a living working in, or around the port. As Singapore’s trade interests expanded in the 19th century, the bridges facilitated trade and transport links – first Cavenagh Bridge, constructed in 1869, followed by Anderson Bridge in 1909; and later Elgin Bridge in 1929. Together, the three bridges connect the mercantile and commercial district on the Southern bank of the Singapore River with government offices located on the Northern bank. Before the bridges were built, people could only move between two districts via a boat ride across the river!
4. As the three bridges were built over a span of 50 years, their preservation allows us to appreciate the progressive technological advancements in bridge construction across the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. From Cavenagh Bridge’s use of cast iron, to Anderson Bridge’s use of steel, and the use of reinforced concrete for Elgin Bridge, the bridges represent the rapid development in new materials, industrial technology and shipping trade that took place during that period. They also showcase the close economic links between Singapore and Great Britain, with the structures of all three bridges shipped to Singapore after being manufactured there. Today’s gazette of the bridges on 15 October, is the same date in 1965 that Singapore joined the Commonwealth after gaining independence, testifying to our continued close ties with the United Kingdom.
5. On that note, I would like to warmly welcome Mr Gavin MacLellan, the great-great-grandson of Walter MacLellan, who was the co-founder of Glasgow-based engineering firm P&W MacLellan which manufactured the cast iron structure of Cavenagh Bridge. Mr Gavin MacLellan will give a talk this evening on the story behind this magnificent structure, and how it compares to other bridges around the world built by P&W MacLellan. Thank you for joining us Gavin!
   
   

   Bringing shared heritage to life

6. Over the decades, the bridges have borne witness to the transformation of the Singapore River. Cavenagh Bridge is 150 years old this year, making it the oldest surviving bridge in Singapore, while the youngest of the three, Elgin Bridge, is almost 90 years old. As we preserve these tangible markers of our identity, we must also pass on the stories and memories of these bridges to our younger generation. This is part of the National Heritage Board’s (NHB’s) mandate under Our SG Heritage Plan to safeguard Singapore’s tangible heritage, while promoting greater awareness and appreciation of our National Monuments.
7. I am therefore delighted to launch NHB’s inaugural Milestones Through Monuments programme. Through this programme, we aim to showcase the roles played by our National Monuments during significant periods in Singapore’s history. In conjunction with our Bicentennial, NHB has lined up different programmes on the three newly gazetted Singapore River Bridges, all of which illustrate Singapore’s development and growth as a trading port and city.
8. From now until 28 October, the public can enjoy specially commissioned installations on each of the three bridges, including one on Elgin Bridge by Singaporean artist Yip Yew Chong that will offer his take on how the Singapore River was like in the past. The public can also participate in walking tours to explore the lesser-known history behind the bridges, as well as the stories of people and life along the Singapore River.
9. Our tangible heritage are important markers of our Singapore Story. Through these specially curated programmes, we hope to bring our shared heritage to life, and encourage the public to create special and meaningful experiences for themselves at these historic sites.
   
   

   Working with the community to safeguard our tangible heritage

10. Singapore’s heritage belongs to every Singaporean. We hope our communities will join us in playing a part to preserve and promote our heritage, and give life to another key pillar of Our SG Heritage Plan. One way in which the Government supports monument owners in this effort is through the National Monument Fund (NMF).
11. Launched in 2008, the NMF is a grant for owners of non-profit or religious National Monuments. It co-funds the restoration and maintenance works of these monuments, which can be done best when Government, monument owners, and the community work together. Over the years, NMF has been calibrated to better serve the changing needs of monument owners. To date, 28 non-profit or religious organisations have benefitted from the grant, including many repeat recipients. They have used the NMF to conduct a variety of restoration and maintenance works on the National Monuments under their care. I am very encouraged to know that the NMF has helped ensure that our National Monuments are well taken care of.
12. Today, I am pleased to announce that MCCY will be setting aside another $15 million in funding to NMF to support restoration efforts for the next five years. The additional funds will continue to support eligible monument owners in upcoming restoration projects, as we work together to ensure that these landmarks of our heritage will continued to be well-preserved for the future.
    
    

    Conclusion

13. In closing, I would like to thank our monument owners, partners and stakeholders present today, and all members of the community who have been working closely with us in the preservation and promotion of our built heritage. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the NHB look forward to continuing and enhancing our close partnership with you, to safeguard both our tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
14. Thank you!