If you solemnly swear you are up to no good, six museums in the Town of Huntington invite wizards and muggles to celebrate Harry Potter’s summer birthday with exciting events from July 30 to August 11. Highlights include scavenger hunts, crafts, presentations, and Harry Potter-themed treats. Don’t miss out on the fun and magical experiences waiting for you!
Participating museums include the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium in Cold Spring Harbor, the Huntington Historical Society’s Conklin Barn in Huntington, the Northport Historical Society, the Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum in Huntington Station, The Whaling Museum of Cold Spring Harbor, and the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport.
Schedule of Events
COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor, www.cshfishhatchery.org
August 1 to 4 — Scavenger Hunt and Craft
Go on a scavenger hunt to find magical creatures. Choose a Hogwarts pet and make a cat, rat or toad craft to take home. Free with admission.
HUNTINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S CONKLIN BARN, 2 High Street, Huntington, www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org
July 30 at 10 a.m. — Herbology Exploration
Herbology is the study of magical and mundane plants and fungi, and was a required class taught at Hogwarts by Professor Sprout. Come learn about how herbs similar to the ones in the wizarding world are used in our world, both in the past and the present! For ages 5 to 11. Free, registration required.
August 7 at 10 a.m. — Owl Presentation
We all know about the importance of owls as magical creatures delivering posts and parcels in the wizarding world. Harry’s owl Hedwig and Ron Weasley’s owl Pigwidgeon were great companions to our young wizards. Join us to learn some interesting facts about the owls in our own world! For ages 5 to 11. Free, registration required by visiting www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
NORTHPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 215 Main Street, Northport, www.northporthistorical.org
July 31 to August 4 — Harry Potter-Themed Scavenger Hunt:
Visit the Northport Historical Society Wednesdays to Sundays between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to pick up a special Main Street scavenger hunt and embark on a magical adventure. Free.
WALT WHITMAN BIRTHPLACE STATE HISTORIC SITE, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, www.waltwhitman.org
July 28 to August 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Interactive Tour of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
Test your knowledge on the book that kicked off the Harry Potter series and earn a certificate and a bag of Walt Whitman’s Beans. $5 per participant.
THE WHALING MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER, 301 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, www.cshwhalingmuseum.org
July 30 to August 11 — Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt and Wand Craft
Muggles & wizards alike can enjoy a magical scavenger hunt throughout the museum’s galleries with Huntington’s largest cauldron. Then design and decorate your very own wand craft to take home. Then create a wand to take home. Free with admission fee to the museum.
August 1 at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. — Fantastical Beasts & Where to Find Them workshop
Explore the myths and legends surrounding the many mythic creatures featured in the Harry Potter world and create your own dragon egg adorned with gilded seashells. Admission fee +$10 participant. $5 members. No registration required.
SUFFOLK COUNTY VANDERBILT MUSEUM, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, www.vanderbiltmuseum.org
July 30 to August 4 — Explore Collections with Harry Potter-themed Map
Visit the museum and explore the collections with a Harry Potter-themed map. Free with admission.
July 30 — Baby Giant Spider Craft
Visit the education center and create a Baby Giant Spider to take home. Free with admission.
August 4 — Magical Moth Craft
Visit the education center and create a Magical Moth to take home. Free with admission.
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After or before the events, drop by Sweetie Pies on Main, 181 Main Street in Cold Spring Harbor and Bon Bons Chocolatier, 319 Main Street, Huntington for special Harry Potter-themed treats.
Sweetie Pies on Main will offer Harry Potter-themed drinks for purchase while Bon Bons Chocolatier will offer Chocolate Frogs, Owls and Castles, Bertie Botts and Jelly Slugs, and Golden Snitches. Guests can also enter a raffle to win a Harry Potter Birthday prize.
