• Originally known as Wan Qing Yuan, the building was bought by wealthy Singaporean businessman Teo Eng Hock in 1905 as a residence for his mother to spend her twilight years. The name Wan Qing Yuan signifies the peace and blessings that he wanted for his mother in her twilight years.
• In February 1906, Dr. Sun Yat Sen formed the Singapore branch of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance or Tong Meng Hui, and designated Wan Qing Yuan as the Southeast Asian headquarters of the Revolutionary Party. After the success of the 1911 Revolution, Teo Eng Hock sold off Wan Qing Yuan to an Indian businessman.
• In 1937, several Chinese leaders such as Lee Kong Chian and Tan Ean Kiam,pooled their resources to purchase Wan Qing Yuan, which they then placed under the trusteeship of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
• In November 1994, Wan Qing Yuan was gazetted by the Singapore government as a National Historic Site. It is managed by the Wan Qing Yuan Management Committee under the National Heritage Board.
• Wan Qing Yuan has four permanent galleries, which introduce the history of the villa, the role of Singapore as the headquarters of the Tong Meng Hui in Southeast Asia, the impact of the 1911 Revolution on the Chinese community in Singapore, and the economic and social contributions of local Chinese business pioneers.

Teo Eng Hock (1872 – 1957) whose ancestral home is in Raoping County, Guangdong Province, was born in Singapore. He was Sun Yat Sen’s main assistant overseas for the 1911 Revolution.