A Real-Life Harry Potter School Is In Major Trouble
The Harry Potter books are so influential, they’ve einspired a real-life Hogwarts in Indiana called the Spellcaster’s Academy. Unfortunately, may get shut down before it even opens as, according to ScreenRant, the school has failed to obtain proper zoning permits and possibly doesn’t have permission from J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. to use trademarked aspects of the story.
The Spellcaster’s Academy in Westfield, Indiana may get shut down for failing to get permission from JK Rowling and Warner Bros. to fashion the “Academy” after Hogwarts, among other reasons.
Emerging from the imaginative pages of the Harry Potter series, the Spellcaster’s Academy aims to bring magic to the muggles of Westfield, Indiana. Inspired by the magical world, the academy’s purpose is twofold—they aim to give an education to underprivileged kids, and they also operate as an Airbnb, from which all the funds go to operating the school. Unfortunately, this magical idea may be put to rest as the school’s existence is under scrutiny, not from the Ministry of Magic, but from the city of Westfield itself.
It’s unclear exactly why the city is investigating the Spellcaster’s Academy. The school managed to attain tax-exempt approval from the IRS last month, but there are no zoning approval records on file in the city office. Additionally, there’s no clear indication that the school has received permission from Rowling or Warner Bros. to use trademarked aspects of the Harry Potter world.
So far, there have been no public announcements indicating that the school has hired its faculty, admitted students, or is anywhere near ready to be open for business.
Like Hogwarts, the Spellcaster’s Academy features grandiose gothic-style architecture, and there is a Quidditch pitch on the property. Their website showcases pictures of Hogwarts and images of young students in wizard’s robes and red and gold ties that look similar to the uniforms Harry Potter and his friends wore in the films. If permission wasn’t granted, then in addition to zoning issues, the academy may soon be heading to court for trademark infringement.
Adding to the intrigue is the academy’s dual role as an Airbnb destination. For a price of $270 per night, visitors can stay in an enchanting Harry Potter-themed room.
While the school has obtained its tax-exempt form, it seems like it might be a while before it opens its doors. So far, there have been no public announcements indicating that the school has hired its faculty, admitted students, or is anywhere near ready to be open for business. And, until Westfield has completed their investigation of the academy, it seems like the fate of this real-life Harry Potter school for kids will remain unknown.
Adding to the intrigue is the academy’s dual role as an Airbnb destination. For a price of $270 per night, visitors can stay in an enchanting Harry Potter-themed room. The listing suggests that the proceeds contribute to the educational aspect of the property. Chris Wellan, the self-styled “headmaster” of the Spellcaster’s Academy, envisions the institution as a hybrid space akin to a Boys and Girls Club aimed at aiding disadvantaged youth.
In the world of Harry Potter, mystery and adventure often go hand in hand, and the Spellcaster’s Academy seems to be no exception. As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits answers about the zoning concerns, legal rights, and the authenticity of the school’s proclaimed mission.
