Harry Potter: A History of Magic is an international traveling exhibition that showcases rare items from the Harry Potter books and from the history of magic and witchcraft in the real world. It was established for guests of all ages, and the average ticket price is around US$14. The exhibition became fully available online through Google Arts & Culture in 2020.
The exhibition features centuries-old artifacts such as rare books, manuscripts, and magical objects taken straight from the archives of Scholastic, as well as from J.K. Rowling herself. Visitors can explore areas dedicated to Hogwarts subjects such as Herbology, Charms, Astronomy, and Potions. Each subject area is filled with real-world magical history, culture, and folklore that inspired the Harry Potter books.
Harry Potter: A History of Magic debuted on October 20, 2017, at the British Library in London and ran until February 28, 2018. It then traveled to the New-York Historical Society Museum and Library from October 5, 2018, to January 27, 2019 before landing at the Tokyo Station Gallery from December 18, 2021, to March 27, 2022.
Publication Date: October 20, 2017
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
144 pages
Harry Potter: A Journey Through a History of Magic showcases selected items from the exhibition and is aimed at a family audience. It too explores the subjects studied at Hogwarts and contains spellbinding facts and information behind the real history of magic, alongside activities inspired by these subjects.
Publisher: Pottermore Publishing
These four short nonfiction reads, each themed by Hogwarts lessons, delve into the real-life traditional folklore and magic that inspired the Harry Potter stories, accompanied by some gorgeous new line drawings from London-based artist Rohan Daniel Eason.
Book 1: A Journey Through Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts
Date: June 27, 2019
67 pages
Book 2: A Journey Through Potions and Herbology
80 pages
Book 3: A Journey Through Divination and Astronomy
72 pages
Book 4: A Journey Through Care of Magical Creatures
65 pages
Harry Potter: A History of Magic is a documentary about the Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition that was hosted at the British Library in London. Narrated by Imelda Staunton, who portrayed Dolores Umbridge, it features behind-the-scenes footage of the rare books, manuscripts, and magical objects in the British Library archives. The documentary also includes an interview with J.K. Rowling where she discusses the items she donated to the exhibition, including handwritten chapters and her own drawings.