It looks like Detroit architecture to me…
Last week, Pottermore, the official website for all things Harry Potter, announced the existence of FOUR previously unmentioned, international wizarding schools. We learned about the Brazilian school of Castelobruxo, Africa’s esteemed Uagadou school, and Japan’s magical academy, Mahoutokoro – all with new descriptions penned by J.K. Rowling herself. We also learned the name of the long-awaited North American Wizarding School – Ilvermorny – though Pottermore hasn’t released Rowling’s description of the school or the school’s location yet.
All we got was a name and an illustration of the school, shrouded in clouds, hovering above the Great Lakes region. And, as an impatient fanboy, that got me excited, because I’m from the Great Lakes region. Specifically, I’m from Detroit, one of the most notorious and misunderstood cities in North America, and I personally think that Detroit would make a TREMENDOUS home for Ilvermorny. I really do. I think that wizarding academy has been here all along.
J.K. Rowling might prove me wrong in a few days, but, in the meantime, I took to Twitter today to make my case for why Detroit would be the idea home for Ilvermorny, and I think I have a few decent points. If you agree, chime into the discussion and show me your reasoning. If you disagree (philistine!), tell me why Ilvermorny exists anywhere else.
###
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: It appears to be a ruin to Muggles, but people in the know can see what it really is.
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Guess who died in Detroit? Harry Houdini. Vengeful wizards didn't like a non-maj trying to debunk them
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Have you ever been inside the Detroit Institute of Arts? Those paintings talk, man.
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Famous case of a Detroit teacher breaking up a classroom fight with a broom. It was a Nimbus 2000.
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Detroit education could really, really use a win, @jk_rowling. Just sayin'…
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Detroit makes magical things. We're makers, tinkerers. We're experts at making the abstract real.
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Because my daughter is 9 now and, with that easy commute, I could see her all the time.
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Detroit exists on the border between the US and Canada, so we're a good North America-centric location
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: We have huge empty swaths of land and, if you said there was a wizarding school there, I'd believe you
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Take a look at the lobby of the Guardian Building. Not the work of Muggles: https://t.co/2v69TQa7IU
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Our close access to the Great Lakes makes it simple for Durmstrang students to visit.
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: The GAR Building REALLY looks like that @pottermore picture — https://t.co/qNSetbcYsN @pottermore
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Yeah, it’s a stretch, but it’s not out of the question, right?
@BuildaLibrary I'm choosing to believe that Ilvermorny is in the secret sub-basement of the @DetroitLibrary.
— Valerie Sobczak (@valerieclaires) February 1, 2016
@BuildaLibrary Just the public side of DPL is gorgeous, and can you imagine the kind of magic that goes on in there?!
— Valerie Sobczak (@valerieclaires) February 1, 2016
@BuildaLibrary Also, some of the back staircases move, I'm pretty sure.
— Valerie Sobczak (@valerieclaires) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny should be in #Detroit: Have you seen the Detroit Public Library, Burton, Reuther? #Hermonie heaven! Right, @BuildaLibrary?
— Karen Dybis (@kdybis) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: Because how much would Mr. Weasley love going on the Ford Rogue Plant tour?
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Why #Ilvermorny Should Be in Detroit: The name could be a mash-up of the sILVER Bullet Band and Brand New MORNing, both Bob Seger references
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Photographic evidence that #Ilvermorny exists in #Detroit – Exhibit A (this painting guards the year 4 common room) https://t.co/gXV3636Uov
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Photographic evidence that #Ilvermorny exists in #Detroit – Exhibit B (the local branch of Gringotts is nearby) https://t.co/3xyPhT4i3x
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
Photographic evidence that #Ilvermorny exists in #Detroit – Exhibit C (Because this is Detroit normal) https://t.co/ocAruJDMCz
— Tom B. (@BuildaLibrary) February 1, 2016
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
If only JK Rowling could hear your argument – good points there!