For a century and a half, it has been a familiar presence right in the heart of Singapore. And throughout its long and illustrious history, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has played an integral role in this city’s social, cultural, and even economic development. While it remains true to its purpose as an institution for botanical and horticultural research, the Singapore Botanic Gardens has also evolved into a much-loved green haven and civic space over the years.
hand at rubber tapping
2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the Gardens, and to commemorate the special occasion, the National Parks Board has organised a series of exciting and fun-filled activities at the popular green sanctuary for members of the public. The year-long calendar of events was launched by Minister for National Development, Mah Bow Tan, on 3 April 2009.
“These activities will provide people with opportunities to come together, reminisce, celebrate and feel a sense of pride in having nurtured one of Singapore’s favourite national icons,” Mr Mah said.
Celebrating 150 Years
The first highlight of the celebrations calendar is “The Seed that Changed the World” public exhibition (3 – 30 April 2009). The exhibition illustrates the incredible story of the rubber phenomenon, and the Gardens’ pivotal role in pioneering an industry that forever changed the economic landscape of the region.
"The Seed that Changed the World" public exhibition
Using rare archival photographs and drawings, the month-long exhibition tells the enthralling story of rubber and the perilous journey of the rubber seed from England to Singapore. It also showcases the origins of the commercial rubber industry: how rubber was first pioneered in Singapore by botanists like Henry Ridley (affectionately known as Mad Rubber Ridley); the initial public cynicism; and how Ridley’s vision eventually spread regionally to pioneer planters like Tan Chay Yan of Malacca.
Visitors to the exhibition would also learn about the important milestones in the history of rubber. Significant events include the hectic ‘Rubber Rush’ boom-time of the early 20th century, the catastrophic ‘Rubber Recession’ downturn of the 1920s, and rubber’s role in World War II, to name a few.
But there are more activities lined up. Other exciting and educational events on the calendar at the Singapore Botanic Gardens this year include a forum on conservation helmed by renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, and an exhibition titled “Darwin and Wallace: Their Stories & Their Expeditions.”
In addition, NParks will present a Green Generation Concert featuring a mixture of performances from our own local talents, a culinary experience featuring celebrity chefs in “Romancing Kangkong & its Relatives”, and “The Children Celebrate!” party at the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden.
So stay tuned, as NParks brings you more thrilling activities to reminisce, reconnect and celebrate the Gardens’ 150th birthday. For more information on the range of activities, please visit http://www.sbg.org.sg/.
Henry Nicholas Ridley
a.k.a. Mad Rubber Ridley
The name Henry Nicholas Ridley will forever be associated with the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and with rubber. He was appointed as the Gardens’ first Director in 1888, and for the next 23 years, he worked tirelessly at this oasis of green.
Ridley was an early champion of rubber. His zealous persistence in persuading local Malay planters to grow rubber trees earned him nicknames such as “Mad Ridley” and “Rubber Ridley”. Despite considerable initial opposition, he would even carry seeds with him to social events and pitch them to fellow guests.
And when Malaya’s coffee crop collapsed as a result of disease, Ridley’s rubber seeds were suddenly in such great demand that requests for up to a million seeds a day poured into the Gardens. The “Rubber Rush” changed the face of Southeast Asia’s plantation industry and brought economic success to the Gardens.