The Hogwarts Express will be departing soon from its only stop in the Midwest. Don’t miss your last chance to walk through slices of life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Museum of Science and Industry has been host to the world premier of ”Harry Potter: The Exhibition” a fantabulous display of artifacts from Warner Bros. first six Harry Potter movies based on the books by J.K. Rowling. In collaboration with Exhibitgroup/Giltspur, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the museum have created an awesome 10,000-square-foot exhibit full of props, costumes and set pieces that were used in the movies. Harry Potter trivia questions are asked before the timed-entry to the exhibit, after which guests move to The Sorting Hat, where a few lucky children can be placed in their houses. Upon entering the exhibit proper, an awesome medley of film clips from the series is shown on eight screens. After which, a wall raises to the wonderful sound of a train whistle, and the Hogwarts Express stands proud on arrival platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station. Guests are then escorted into the Portrait Gallery, the starting point of the formal exhibit. A painting of the Fat Lady guards the entrance to the first of seven more settings: the Gryffindor Common Room, Classrooms, Quidditch, Hagrid’s Hut, the Forbidden Forest, Dark Forces and the Great Hall. Throughout these settings are 32 display cases and 28 themed vignettes with artifact cards to identify the more than 200 authentic costumes and props from the movies. Some of the highlights include the Marauder’s Map, Harry Potter’s Nimbus 2000, a giant pawn piece from the wizard’s chess game played at the end of the first movie, the Goblet of Fire casket and the skiving snackboxes Fred & George sell at Weasleys’ Wizard Weezes. The craftsmanship of all the items on display is awe-inspiring! 25 original robes are displayed in the open so that you can see the delicate details. Sixteen wands can be found, including Harry’s, Dumbledore’s, Lord Voldemort’s and Ron’s, which was broken when the Ford Angelica ran into the Whomping Willow. Models of some of the characters are also out for viewing pleasure. Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes, is present in his unburned stage. A very large Buckbeak, along with Kestrels, stand guard in the Forbidden Forest. Be careful when you walk past the Dementor, or at least make sure that you have some chocolate with you! If you are a “Harry Potter” fan, in any way, shape or form, you really should not miss this magnificent experience. ”Harry Potter: The Exhibition” runs through September 27, 2009. For more information on this, and other exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry, visit www.msichicago.org.