Museum of Science Exhibit Recreates World of Harry Potter

Tenley Woodman - Boston Herald

A bit of Hogwarts' magic has found its way into the Museum of Science.

Starting Sunday, visitors can come eye-to-eye with Buckbeak the hippogriff or sit in Hagrid's chair as part of "Harry Potter: The Exhibition," which runs through Feb. 21, 2010.

The blockbuster touring exhibit gets Potter fanatics up close to more than 200 carefully crafted props and sets used in the film.

"The exhibition tells the story of how we translate a complete fantasy story into a real world," said Paul Fontaine, vice president of education at the Museum of Science, during a sneak preview yesterday.

Upon entering the space, vistors encounter the sorting hat and are assigned to one of Hogwarts' four houses. Then you enter the Gryffindor Common Room. By the time you get to Hagrid's giant-sized hut, you'll feel like you're actually in a Harry Potter movie yourself.

English actor Matthew Lewis, who plays Harry's classmate Neville Longbottom in the films, was on hand to discuss the coveted memorabilia with reporters.

"It is quite an honor for me," said Lewis, 20. "I'm the first cast member to tour it."

The exhibition had its premiere in Chicago's Museum of Science last April.

Warner Bros. executive Karen McTier said the premise for the tour grew out of fans' reaction to tours at the studios used in Britain to shoot the film.

Now 10,000 square feet of the museum have been transformed to look and feel like the fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

"There is very little difference between shooting the film (and touring) this (exhibit)," Lewis said. "It is exactly what we shot with."

Fans can ogle the Golden Snitch, play a bit of Quidditch and even pull some rather noisy mandrakes.

The costumes from the film reveal how much has changed for Harry Potter and his friends since their on-screen journey began.

"I saw Daniel's (Radcliffe) outfit from the first film, and I refuse to believe he was ever that small," said Lewis, who was 11 when he first played Neville.

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