Tue, Oct 21
|Heritage Museum
Oct 20 - Nov 29, 2025: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine in Harry Potter's World
Using materials from the National Library of Medicine, this exhibit explores Harry Potter’s world, its roots in Renaissance science, and the ethical questions that affected not only the wizards of Harry Potter, but also the historical thinkers featured in the series.
Time & Location
Oct 21, 2025, 10:00 AM – Nov 29, 2025, 4:30 PM
Heritage Museum, 281 S 2nd St, Independence, OR 97351, USA
About the Event
A traveling exhibition developed and produced by the Exhibition Program at the National Library of Medicine.
In 1997, British author J. K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter and a literary phenomenon was born. Millions of readers have followed Harry to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he discovers his heritage, encounters new plants and animals, and perfects his magical abilities. Although a fantasy story, the magic in the Harry Potter books is partially based on Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science, including alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy. Incorporating the work of several 15th- and 16th-century thinkers, the seven-part series examines important ethical topics such as the desire for knowledge, the effects of prejudice, and the responsibility that comes with power.
Using materials from the National Library of Medicine, this exhibit explores Harry Potter’s world, its roots in Renaissance science,…