It’s like opening a priceless treasure box containing Singapore’s history, art and culture—except you only need a few clicks of your mouse or taps on screen to access it.
That’s what the National Heritage Board (NHB)’s revamped portal, Roots.gov.sg, is all about. It’s a one-stop digital concierge, with a cultural ontology that brings together digital resources from across Singapore’s arts and culture scene, including the National Library Board’s Infopedia and the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay’s Offstage.
The easy-to-use-website allows online visitors to embark on a seamless journey through Singapore’s heritage and culture. It offers a brand-new look with fresh content and more features that improve user-friendliness, in line with the latest digital trends.
Former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station (Credit: National Heritage Board)
Currently, Roots.gov.sg is home to over 100,000 artefacts and multimedia resources, spanning the country’s National Collection, heritage trails, National Monuments, historic sites, intangible cultural heritage, and more.
The mobile-friendly website now makes greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) to power more accurate and relevant searches and recommendations, which allows users to find information from the extensive catalogue easily.
Former Nagore Dargah (Credit: National Heritage Board)
The AI-powered search provides more opportunities to explore lesser-known stories of Singapore’s history and heritage, by suggesting exploratory routes based on individual users’ interests.
The site’s cultural ontology of resources also allows visitors who may want to learn about renowned composer Zubir Said, for example, to tap into the Esplanade’s Offstage website and view content of performers associated with him.
Go on a treasure hunt
In conjunction with the relaunch, NHB will be staging Roots.gov.sg’s first ever virtual treasure hunt, titled Heritage Hunter, from Mar 12-31 2021.
Heritage Hunter will bring participants on a journey through different eras and aspects of Singapore’s rich history and heritage.
Participants will have to solve clues and trawl the pages of Roots.gov.sg for hidden coins for a chance to win exciting prizes, including a tablet worth $1,099. For more information, visit NHB’s Facebook page.
