Last updated: 12/6/2010
225 St. Charles Pl.Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Tours are by appointment,usually 10:30am or 2:30pm. Tours are 2 1/2 hours long. 2 to 12 people at a time.
the latter part of his life, Charles Brown III developed a passion for collecting old, rare automatic musical instruments. That collection is now part of the Bayernhof Museum. His collection is displayed in almost every room in the house. There are many antique music boxes, “monkey” organs, a Wurlitzer carousel organ, a Reproduco Piano-Pipe organ used in funeral homes and theaters, an Encore Automatic Banjo. There is also a Mills Deluxe Violano Virtuoso player violin and piano combination, a Knabe Ampico reproducing grand piano that faithfully “reproduces” the playing of the artist who originally recorded the roll and a huge Seeburg Pipe Organ Orchestra that was once used to accompany silent films to name just a few. Be sure to select the "Collection" button on the left and see most of the collection, of course a better way is to arrange a tour.
Many interesting machines make up the large collection of automatic musical instruments at Bayernhof . They range in size from a small roll played toy saxophone, to the huge Seeburg Pipe Organ orchestra. Some are in almost "as found" condition and others are fully restored or well on their way. Some of the rarer machines are the Wurlitzer "Style A" Automatic Harp, and the Encore Automatic Banjo, as well as a beautiful 20 3/4" Regina upright music box with painted landscape scenes around the outside.
The most unique feature of the house is the “Cave” This hidden passageway takes the visitor from the lower level to the main floor and is accessed by way of a very secret, unique doorway. Immediately upon entering the cave visitors notice a wooden door leading to the wine cellar. The cellar boasts an authentic moonshine still as the focal point.
Preserving these wonderful mechanical music boxes and machines for posterity is greatly aided by the various organizations which offer individuals who have an enthusiasm for mechanical music, an opportunity to meet and interact with others who share their interests. Parent organizations such as the Musical Box Society International (MRSI) and the Automatic Musical instrument Collectors Association (AMICA) have over 1500 members with chapters world wide. These organizations publish monthly newsletters and bulletins to keep their members and other friends apprised of recent developments and upcoming events in the world of mechanical music machines. The newsletters give readers the opportunity to buy and sell music machines, parts, and various pieces of memorabilia through channels unavailable anywhere else.
Besides the tour of the mansion built between 1976 and 1982 the mansion holds about 150 restored automatic music, roll played instruments,music boxes and phonographs.
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