The National Archives of Singapore (NAS) was established in 1968 by an act of parliament and was then known as the National Archives and Records Centre (NARC). With the inclusion of the Oral History Department in 1979, the National Archives was renamed the National Archives and Oral History Department. The NAS is currently an institution under the National Heritage Board. During its earlier days, NAS was located at various places before being relocated to a permanent home at 1 Canning Rise, the former site of the Anglo-Chinese Primary School.
NAS is responsible for the acquisition, conservation and management of Singapore’s public and private historical records. With such vast archival materials, the NAS is an ideal research centre on matters pertaining to the nation’s history.
In addition, NAS also protects the interests of citizen by providing records and answerability of the government’s action. Visitors with queries can approach the staff at the information counter. To date, NAS has moved away from its conventional role as record keeper of the nation. In 2002, it developed the Refection at Bukit Chandu and set up another interpretative centre, Memories at Old Ford Factory in 2006.
