Woodbridge Museum

The Woodbridge Museum is a repository of artefacts, documents, and photos collected from the infamous mental institution known as the Woodbridge Hospital.

It traces the history of mental health services and methods used to treat the ill during Singapore’s early days.

Woodbridge Museum, Insane Hospital Tour Programme & Hours, Singapore

The hospital’s origins date back to 1841 when it was known as the Insane Hospital. It was the first medical facility in Singapore for treating the mentally ill. Back then, it only had 30 beds, but it eventually expanded. The term ‘insane’ was removed, and it was renamed as the Mental Hospital by 1928. It was also used to treat soldiers and civilians during World War II.

By 1951, the hospital was renamed yet again, this time after a wooden bridge found across the Seletar River – hence its current name. The hospital relocated to Buangkok View, its current location today. Management added “Institute of Mental Health” or IMH to its name, as a means of reflecting the hospital’s focus on public education, research, and training. It remains to be the only and the largest psychiatric institution in Singapore.

The Woodbridge Museum was launched in 1993 to spread awareness of the scientific methods used to treat the mentally ill in the past, as well as the limitations and challenges faced by doctors at the time. In the process, visitors gain a better understanding of mentally ill patients.

All of the artefacts have been donated. Some of the highlights include a straightjacket which was once used by the hospital, surgical tools, and a model of the hospital.

The Woodbridge Museum is located at 10 Buangkok Green in Singapore. Opening hours are 9am to 5:30pm from Mondays through Fridays. Entrance is free.