Harry Potter is definitely shelved in the fantasy section, but certain elements of the series pertain to real life. A Tuscon museum exhibit studies connections between J.K. Rowling’s magical world and our own, in an article from NBC.

The Harry Potter stories have been an inspiring literacy phenomenon, and the roots of the story are actually based in Renaissance beliefs, practices and studies. The U.S. National Library of Medicine has conjured up a fun and educational multimedia exhibit exploring the roots of Harry Potter’s world of wizardry in Western sciences.

…It features a “Hogwart’s Potions Laboratory,” including pharmaceutical materials loaned by the History of Pharmacy Museum, a collection of wands, historical illustrations of monsters and magical beasts, and more.

What is your favorite aspect of wizarding culture?

Renaissance “witches” practice their craft in this historical drawing.