Hidden Histories

From December 2023

Explore the hidden histories of the Polar Museum in this new label display. From the female figures in polar history to the origins of Inuit art; follow the stories around the museum exhibits and discover something new.
This display is part of the University of Cambridge Museums' Power and Memory programme.

Available to view during museum opening hours 10am – 4pm, Tuesday - Saturday.

A Century of Polar Research

The Big Freeze art festival presents the work of a range of artists who specialise in the polar regions, together with some of the remarkable material in our collections.

It was made to accompany The Big Freeze Art polar art festival which ran from 4-14 March 2021, and featured a range of films, artist interviews and other activities. You can still watch the films and some of the events on our YouTube channel and on Crowdcast.

Visit the Big Freeze exhibition.

A Century of Polar Research

This online exhibition accompanies the exhibition on display in the Polar Museum.

On the side of an Antarctic volcano Frank Debenham realised that British polar explorers needed a headquarters – somewhere to share their findings and learn from each other.

The idea for the Scott Polar Research Institute was born, and in 1920 it was officially founded as part of the University of Cambridge. Find out about the Institute's origin as a memorial to Captain Scott and his men, and the pioneering research carried out at the Institute over the last 100 years.

Visit exhibition highlights online.