Baba House, Singapore

Baba House, also known as NUS Baba House, stands as a museum in Singapore, dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of Peranakan history, architecture, and heritage. Housed within a classic Peranakan terrace house from the pre-World War II era, this establishment was previously the property of the Wee Bin family, descendants of a 19th-century shipping magnate who settled in Singapore after emigrating from Fujian, a province in southern China.

Constructed in the 1890s, this residential terrace house, located on Neil Road within the Residential Historic District of Blair Plain, became part of the Wee Family's legacy in 1910 when it was acquired by a family matriarch for her grandson, Wee Eng Cheng. The stewardship of the house eventually passed to Mr. Wee Lin, the sixth-generation descendant of Wee Bin. In an act of generosity, the Bin family bequeathed the house to the National University of Singapore with the aim of educating future generations about the rich history, culture, and architectural heritage of the Peranakan community.

Within the premises, approximately 70 percent of the furniture originates from the Wee estate, with the remaining items sourced from Peranakan families in Singapore and Malacca. The first two floors of Baba House offer a glimpse into the traditional Peranakan domestic setting, while the third floor serves as an exhibition gallery where contemporary artists present their interpretations of Peranakan culture. Simultaneously, the house serves as a venue for Peranakan culinary and craft workshops, organized by the Museum of the National University of Singapore, adding a dynamic and educational dimension to its cultural offerings.