OMG, a Real-Life Hogwarts Is Coming to the US!

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On a scale from 1 to 9 3/4, how geeky is it to attend a four-day LARP (live-action role play) event inspired by the Harry Potter universe? Frankly, we don't care. And neither, it seems, do the 400-plus Kickstarter backers who have funded a new American wizarding school called New World Magischola — they raised nearly $300,000 for the project in mere days. If you've dreamed of attending a magical school since Harry Potter received his Hogwarts letter at age 11, then you'll definitely want to enroll in this enchantingly realistic institution for would-be wizards.

Inspired by (and in collaboration with) another realistic Hogwarts endeavor in Poland, the New World Magischola experience isn't just wearing robes and reenacting scenes from Harry Potter in a park somewhere. Instead, attendees will spend four magical days at the University of Richmond in Virginia, learning about an entirely new wizarding world in America.

"You'll play a character and take part in a magical universe, where you will be a student living in one of five houses and attending magical classes according to your path of study," describes the organization's Kickstarter page. "You'll get access to an entire North American magical universe. We've designed a world, history, economy, characters, plots, sets, costumes, and magical creatures for you to interact with as your character." Inspired by colonial America, this universe is unlike anything Potterheads have ever known.

Students and professors at this insanely detailed LARP event will also receive school robes, a tie, and textbooks to use during their wizarding education experience. The goal of the experience (aside from having a crazy amount of fun) includes: earning the title of "wizard," choosing a career path in either artificery, healing, cursebreaking, cryptozoology, or the Path of the Marshal, and taking school courses. In addition, the event planners promise that "students at Magischola also learn about the Magimundi social systems (politics, policy, jurisprudence, economics, etc.) so that they can at least succeed in it, and maybe even change it. Students also learn about the many North American magical creatures, sentient and non-sentient, and about others from around the world."

Talk about an intense weekend! If you're interested in attending, keep an eye on the New World Magischola website and Kickstarter page — the first three events have sold out already, but there may be a fourth announced soon! In the meantime, read on to learn more about the event, campus, and school houses for this enchanting experience.

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A Preview of the New World Magischola Experience

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Another Sneak-Peek at the LARP Event

The University of Richmond Campus
Facebook | University of Richmond

The University of Richmond Campus

The University of Richmond plays host to this LARP, during which attendees will "play a character and take part in a magical universe, where you will be a student living in one of five houses and attending magical classes according to your path of study."

Facebook | University of Richmond

"We'll house you on site in double-occupancy, climate-controlled rooms for 4 days and 3 nights, and provide 8 buffet-style meals with a variety of dining options, created by the award-winning chefs at the University of Richmond," describes the event website.

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Just imagine attending courses and honing your wizarding skills on this gorgeous campus!

The School Crest
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The School Crest

The New World Magischola universe is entirely unique, including a whole different set of school founders and houses. "You'll be sorted into one of the five houses of New World Magischola, and meet friends (and rivals) among your housemates, classmates, and peers," promises the Kickstarter. The LARP's art director, Lars Bundvad, designed unique house crests that represent every sort of New World Magischola student.

To learn more about the school and its magical history, you can read plenty of in-depth descriptions on the Magischola website. And even better, you can take a quiz online to see which house best suits you!

House Croatan
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House Croatan

According to New World Magischola history, this school house was founded by Virginia Dare — the first colonial child born in North America. Honorable and courageous, members of this house are associated with cryptozoology and "value tradition, honor, and bold action to uphold and protect the Magimundi and their secrets."

Dan Obeah
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Dan Obeah

Founded by Tituba — whose name you might recognize from the Salem Witch Trials — this house represents a thirst for knowledge and a desire to use magical power for good. Members of Dan Obeah value harmony, wisdom, and clear thinking.

Lakay Laveau
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Lakay Laveau

You might remember the name Marie Laveau from American Horror Story and voodoo mythology, but according to the New World Magischola history, she founded Lakay Laveau. Members of this house are charismatic, opportunistic, observant, and borderline manipulative. "The world is your playground — in the dark and in the light — and you are the master of your domain," describes the house site.

Maison Du Bois
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Maison Du Bois

Symbolized by a bear, Maison Du Bois members are just, noble, strong, and loyal — much like their house founder, European explorer Étienne Brulé. They value order and morality and aren't afraid to do what's right.

Casa Calisaylá
Facebook | New World Magischola

Casa Calisaylá

"Casa Calisaylá is named for its house founder, the last surviving member of the Karankawa, a group of Indigenous North Americans who lived along what is now the coast of Texas and its islands. Karankawans were completely wiped out by war and disease after contact with the Spanish conquistadors," describes the house site. It goes on to describe the house as rebellious and innovative, with a strong focus on equality.