U of T alumni are warmly invited to a special private tour of Arctic Fever, an exhibition that explores the powerful allure—and enduring impact—of Arctic exploration.

Today, the Arctic is at the forefront of global conversations about climate change and its effects on northern circumpolar ecosystems and Indigenous communities. Yet the phrase “Arctic fever” originated in the nineteenth century, capturing the era’s intense fascination with Arctic discovery. This exhibition brings past and present into dialogue through striking visual and textual accounts of the circumpolar North.

Featuring Western exploration narratives, works of fiction, technological displays, and panoramic spectacles, Arctic Fever also highlights rare ephemera such as newspapers and illustrated playbills. Importantly, the exhibition foregrounds Indigenous perspectives on Arctic travel and life, offering a fuller and more nuanced understanding of the region’s histories.

Curated by Mark A. Cheetham (University of Toronto) and Isabelle Gapp (University of Aberdeen), this exhibition draws on extraordinary collections that continue to shape research, teaching, and public scholarship at U of T.

Come back, reconnect, and experience these remarkable materials with fellow alumni in an intimate, guided setting.