I’ve toured a lot of unusual homes in Pennsylvania, but I’m not sure that any are most unique than the Bayernhof Museum in the Pittsburgh suburb of O’Hara Township.
Truth be told, the Bayernhof Museum has been on my list of places I wanted to visit for years. However, the reservation system and long duration of the tour kept me away for a long time.
But, after touring the home, I can’t believe I waited so long to check it out and am sharing this in hopes that you don’t make the same mistake that I did.
The Bayernhof was the home of Charles Brown III, an eccentric Pittsburgh-area businessman who started the Gas-Lite Manufacturing Company in the 1960s. This business made him his fortune, and he wanted to use it to build an impressive house in an impressive location.
He discovered the future site of Bayernhof while flying above the city in a helicopter, and purchased the hilltop location with great views of the Pittsburgh skyline and the surrounding area (such as the Pittsburgh Zoo). The home would take six years to build and was finally finished in 1982.
From 1982 until his death in 1999, Brown loved giving tours of his home to friends and strangers alike. His goal was always to turn his home into a museum, but knew that the Bavarian design and quirky architecture wouldn’t be enough on their own.
So, he started collecting self-playing music machines to fill the home and ended up with a collection filled with some of the best and rarest machines in the world. The collection here not only rivals anything you’ll find in PA such as DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin and the American Treasure Tour Museum in Oaks, but also rivals just about any collection in the world.
Today, these giant music boxes, some large enough to nearly fill a room, are a major part of the tour of the Bayernhof Museum.
Tours of this 19,000-square-foot mansion are by appointment only by calling 412-782-4231. It is recommend that you call at least a week in advance, especially if you have a specific tour time in mind. Tours are offered daily, typically at 10 am and 2 pm. Note that all guests must be over 12 years of age (a rule that is strictly enforced).
Tours cost $10 (cash only) and are a steal given the quality of the exhibits that you see over the 2.5-hour tour.
During the tour, guides offer a wealth of information about the house and the man who resided here. My guided did an excellent job making us feel like we were guests of the owner, and made the tour fun and interactive as we went through the home.
Tours effortlessly weave tales of the home with the antique music boxes in the home, and nearly every room as a story and a music box to enjoy. There really isn’t a dull moment on this tour.
I don’t want to spoil much of what you’ll see on the tour because it’s really quite incredible and much of the fun is uncovering the experience for yourself.
However, I will say that there is a ton to see here including antique Bavarian artifacts, hidden wet bars, secret passageways, an incredible wine cellar and swimming pool, and much, much more. Of course, that’s in addition to the many self-playing musical instruments scattered throughout the home that you’ll get to hear play.
A tour here is truly worth the time, and there are new surprises around every corner of the museum.
Ultimately, I highly recommend at tour of the Bayernhof Museum in Pittsburgh. Whether you like antique music boxes, history, or simply quirky homes, there’s a bit of something for everyone here.
Plus the tour guides really make the space come to life with their stories, which really adds a lot to this space and make it one of the must-visit spots in Allegheny County.
I only wish I had checked it out sooner.
Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out Trundle Manor, Fall Run Park, and Randyland.
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Thanks for covering yet again a place in my home state (er Commonwealth) that is well worth a visit. I’m a big fan of house museums and have often found one during our travels. Another is in my Philadelphia veritable backyard, Henry Mercer’s very quirky Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.