LucyKalkowski

Nearly every reader of the famous book series Harry Potter has once imagined themselves receiving a letter from Hogwarts. 

The closest thing to a Hogwarts experience is usually found in theme parks, packed with fans wearing cloaks, carrying wands and going to iconic locations like Hogsmade and Gringotts.

For junior Madeline Iske and her family, recreating the Harry Potter experience right outside their home in rural Nebraska was an exciting idea, but a challenge nevertheless. 

It all started during COVID. “We had a lot of free time, and thought it would be fun to turn the shed into where we would host Halloween parties,” she  said.

A magical Harry Potter world doesn’t just appear overnight. The work took a lot of time, but, luckily, during COVID, there was time to build all the different attractions. 

“My mom used to be in interior design so she’s really good at arts and graphic design work, so she will find a lot of photos that we’ve taken down in Orlando and she’ll pick a window that she wants to do. My dad knows how to put it together, and then once the initial design is drafted, I usually help,” Iske said. After that, they begin building the framework, usually starting at the base, and then constructing the frame on top of it.

The work doesn’t stop there, as many parts move, requiring extensive work and planning to get them just right. Painting is also another part Iske involves herself in, adding the finishing touches to each display.

Recently, they finished Iske’s favorite attraction yet, a window of dancing trolls. “I wasn’t involved in the process, but it looks really cool… There’s this theater setup and really neat pulley system that allows the trolls to do ballet moves. It was one of the windows in Orlando,” Iske said. 

The family is not heading directly into the next addition. “We’re taking a break after this last window because we don’t have enough space. There have been jokes of a second shed, but we probably will have to take a step back and see what we have room for,” Iske said. 

The hard work, time and money the family has put into the project can clearly be seen with the result. Once you step through the door, it is like being transported to one of the theme parks without needing to hop on a plane. 

From the Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes to a window of floating needles that knit, Harry Potter has been brought into a little farm in Nebraska.

Harry Potter House Quiz