Image caption: A group of docents-in-training taking notes during a briefing session

By Hema Mohan

How does history come alive? While Museums and historical sites play key roles in materializing history, docents guide us through the exhibits as they weave the historical facts into a narrative for our listening and learning pleasure. The word ‘docent’ is derived from the Latin word ‘docere’, which means to teach or to lecture. At the NUS Baba House, a traditional Peranakan pre-war terrace house, there is a dedicated team of docents who lead visitors on their journey through Peranakan history. Becoming a docent is no easy task. These members of public undergo rigorous training to ensure that they are fully capable of leading a tour through the house. Let’s find out how they get ready for this role.

At the NUS Baba House, docents are enrolled on a voluntary basis, every 1 – 2 years. Once a group of enthusiastic volunteers have signed on, training begins. Training as a docent consists of studying the history of Peranakan social life, the urban history of the neighbourhood, and architectural restoration. On top of that, the volunteers will learn how to conduct a tour in a lively and engaging manner. Peranakan history is multi-faceted, and the docent trainees will study how each of the various rooms in the house contributes to this rich history and culture. Since the NUS Baba House is a refurbished and conserved home of a Peranakan and his family in the 19th Century, the trainees would learn about the daily life and customs common to a Peranakan family in those times.

Firstly, the docents are introduced to the shipping tycoon Wee Bin and his family, who moved into the house in 1910. The many rooms in the house were privy to the daily routines of the Wee family. In order to lead the tour through the home, the trainees would study how each of these rooms were used by the family on various occasions. Ranging from the delicious potpourri of Peranakan cuisine cooked in the kitchen or the practice of entertaining formal guests in the Tia Besair or main hall, the house is a trove of culture for the docents to unpack. As the docents learn about the Wee family and Peranakan culture, they also study the regional migration patterns that led to Peranakan communities popping up in many port cities in Southeast Asia.

However, the materialization of history is not just evident in the recreation of the living spaces but in the conservation methods of the building itself. Part of the docent curriculum includes lessons on building conservation polices and techniques, such as understanding the use of traditional lime plaster for the walls. After 8 weeks of lessons, the docents-in-training will learn how to weave these cultural customs and conservation practices into a cohesive narrative as they are tasked to write their tour paper.

As part of their course, the trainees have a few assessments to complete.  A big assignment is writing their own tour paper, a script of how they would lead a tour through the house. This is a test of their historical knowledge and their public speaking skills. Since visitors can range from tourists to school groups, the course participants must learn how to exercise flexibility in their delivery styles to engage different groups of people. Thus, they are able to craft an enjoyable learning experience for all visitors.

Docents at the NUS Baba House are passionate individuals, who are commendable in their tireless efforts to bring history and cultural knowledge to the public. To experience the full splendor of the NUS Baba House, please sign up for a tour of the house and be led by one of our wonderful docents. Or if you are interested in becoming a docent yourself, please head to the NUS Baba House website to check for the next iteration of docent training applications.