Harry Potter exhibit to debut in Chicago, maybe coming to Minneapolis

Murray Close

DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures' fantasy "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Photo by Murray Close

By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune

Last update: December 11, 2008 - 2:40 PM

An international exhibit featuring costumes and props from the wildly popular "Harry Potter" films will make its Midwest debut this spring, and it's possible Minneapolis-St. Paul could be one of its stops.

The exhibit, "Harry Potter: The Exhibition," will premiere April 30 at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry where it will remain on view through Sept. 7.

The 10,000-square foot show highlighting artifacts from the Warner Bros. films based on J.K. Rowlings' beloved book will tour the 10 or more cities over a 5-year period. The entire schedule is not set yet, a spokeswoman for the exhibit said.

"A number of cities are under consideration," the spokeswoman said. And Minneapolis could be one of them.

The exhibit will feature elaborate displays of artifacts from settings featured in the films, including Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including the Gryffindor common room and Hagrid's hut. Visitor also will be able to step into the Great Hall and items that will be used in the next film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," scheduled to open in July 2009.

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