The year 2000 was an interesting one in the world of Harry Potter fandom. The fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, was published but none of the movies had yet been released (that didn't happen until November of 2001). Pottermania was starting to grip the world but it wasn't anywhere near the frenzy it would become after the movies brought the stories to an even larger audience.

That same year a department store in Chicago, IL in the USA called Marshall Field's chose the first Harry Potter story as their theme for Christmas. They recreated many of the scenes from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone based on the descriptions from the book, and they did so wonderfully! The scenes resemble the artwork of Mary GrandPré, the artist who did the art for the book covers and at the beginning of each chapter.

I have to be honest. I had no idea about Marshall Field's or their Harry Potter Christmas displays I came across photos that a woman named Barb Crews took of them when she visited the store back in 2000. She has kindly granted me permission to share her photos here on my site and I am very thankful to her allowing me to do this. I think these are a piece of Harry Potter history that should be shared with all fans of the stories.

Barb Crews is a collector and has a website where she writes about collecting. I encourage you to visit her site - http://barbcrews.com - to learn about the world of collectibles.

Hedwig At The Entrance

This was the first thing visitors saw outside the entrance to Marshall Field's. Hedwig had a wingspan of 24 feet and weighed 2,300 pounds!

Letters For Harry

Uncle Vernon tried his hardest to prevent Harry from receiving his Hogwarts acceptance letter. This shows Harry, who is standing next to Uncle Vernon, catching a letter, while Dudley is sitting in front of the door in the midst of the incoming mail.

Diagon Alley

Hagrid took Harry to Diagon Alley to buy all needed school supplies. This shows Harry as he goes from shop to shop and takes in the magical world he just found out he belongs to.

The Hogwarts Express

Students of Hogwarts are taken to school by traveling on the Hogwarts Express, found at Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station. This shows Harry as he runs to get on the train before it leaves the station.

Arriving At Hogwarts

Hagrid takes the first year students to Hogwarts by a boat that goes across the lake outside the school This shows Harry and Ron Weasley arriving at the dock, and you can see an arm from the Giant Squid that lives in the lake.

Playing Quidditch

Harry was made a Seeker during his first year at Hogwarts, making him the youngest Seeker in a hundred years. This shows Harry trying to catch the Golden Snitch while Hagrid, Dumbledore, and Harry's friends look on from the stands.

The Potions Master

Severus Snape was the Potions Master and had an instant dislike for Harry. This shows Harry and a few other students in Professor Snape's classroom.

Close Up Of The Potions Master

This is a close up that shows Snape's famous sneer that he used when dealing with Harry and the students in his class.

The Cloak Of Invisibility

Harry had never gotten any decent Christmas gifts while living with the Dursleys so he was surprised to find presents addressed to him on Christmas morning at Hogwarts. The most surprising gift of all, though, was the Cloak of Invisibility. This shows Harry opening the box that contained the cloak.

Christmas In The Great Hall

Harry spent Christmas dinner in the Great Hall which was festively decorated for the holiday. This shows Harry and Ron along with Professor Dumbledore.

Close Up Of Christmas In The Great Hall

Here you have a better view of the feast Harry enjoyed. On the floor is Ron's pet rat Scabbers and Mrs. Norris, the cat owned by school caretaker Mr. Filch.

Gryffindor Common Room

The Gryffindor Common Room is where Harry spent much of his free time. I am not sure who is sleeping in the chair but I think it is Ron. You can also see the Fat Lady who stands guard at the entrance to the Common Room.

Harry Under The Cloak Of Invisibility

Harry often used the Invisibility Cloak to wander around Hogwarts unseen. Here we can see Harry close to Professor Snape. I love how Harry is holding his finger up to his mouth to keep viewers quiet. He is standing in front of a bookcase which turns to show how Harry was hidden from view when Snape looked that way.

Hiding From Snape

Here you can see that the Cloak has made Harry invisible so Snape is unaware of Harry's presence.

The Mirror Of Erised

During his wanderings around the castle Harry found his way into a room that had the Mirror of Erised. Here you can see Harry standing in front of it looking at his family for the first time.

Bubbling Cauldron

This shows Ron and Hermione Granger (and, I assume Harry, though we can't see him from this angle) standing at a cauldron. You can also see Snape standing over them, making them nervous as they try to complete their lesson. Flames lick the cauldron and heat up the contents within, and green smoke rises up.

Hagrid And Harry

This scene shows Hagrid and Harry, but I am not sure what is going on in the scene.

Again, I want to thank Barb Crews for sharing these photos with me. I think they are an important part of Harry Potter history and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!