The Franklin Expedition left London in 1845 to confirm a Northwest Passage through the Canadian Arctic. After entering the Arctic, HMS Erebus and Terror disappeared. The Canadian Museum of History decided to curate a comprehensive account of what is considered one of the greatest mysteries of the modern era. Then, early in the exhibition development, Parks Canada found the wreck of HMS Erebus! Artifacts recovered from the wreck went in the show as well, extending the history into the 21st century.