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J.K. Rowling reveals history of 'American Hogwarts' school Ilvermorny

Learn all about the wizarding school found on United States soil, including its Sorting Ceremony, in a new backstory and video on Pottermore.

Bonnie Burton
Journalist Bonnie Burton writes about movies, TV shows, comics, science and robots. She is the author of the books Live or Die: Survival Hacks, Wizarding World: Movie Magic Amazing Artifacts, The Star Wars Craft Book, Girls Against Girls, Draw Star Wars, Planets in Peril and more! E-mail Bonnie.
Bonnie Burton
2 min read

With the upcoming release of the film "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," which takes place in 1920s New York City, Harry Potter fans will have a chance to see wizards in action on US soil. But before the movie hits in November, Pottermore is helping wizards and muggles alike learn all about the United States' magical history through the words of Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling.

The latest Pottermore entry, posted Tuesday, reveals more about the East Coast school Ilvermorny, located deep in the forests of Mount Greylock in Massachusetts.

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Ilvermorny school founder Isolt Sayre proves to have an interesting origin story.

Video screenshot by Bonnie Burton/CNET

The post not only shares how the Ilvermorny school was founded, but also imparts information about its four houses named after magic creatures: Horned Serpent, a "great horned river serpent with a jewel set into its forehead;" Pukwudgie, a "short, grey-faced, large-eared creature;" Thunderbird, a creature that "can create storms as it flies;" and Wampus, a "magical, panther-like creature that is fast, strong and almost impossible to kill."

In this new video, also released Tuesday, we learn the school's creation began with a young Irish girl named Isolt Sayre and a unique stolen wand.

The new short story "Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" written by Rowling for Pottermore, explains the Irish origins of the school, as well as the life of its founder, young Isolt. Fans also get more details about the creatures the school's houses pay tribute to, including adorable Wampus kittens.

While there are many differences between Ilvermorny and its European cousin Hogwarts, one that stands out most relates to the Sorting Ceremonies that decide which houses students will belong to.

At Hogwarts, students put on a Sorting Hat that then screams out the name of their house. At Ilvermorny, students stand on a symbol of the Gordian Knot set into the middle of the stone floor, and four enormous wooden carvings representing the houses -- the Horned Serpent, the panther Wampus, the Thunderbird and the Pukwudgie -- react to students that belong to their respective houses.

Previously, to get fans excited about the "Fantastic Beasts" film, Rowling revealed a new map on the official Pottermore website showing the locations of many more witchcraft and wizardry schools.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" hits theaters November 18 in the US and UK. No Australian release date has yet been announced.