bayernhof music museum

If you are thinking this is just music boxes, you're wrong. You should definitely call ahead. Not too hard to find. It is in a residential neighborhood. We got there and after a short introduction, started the tour. Player pianos, player violins, etc. fill the house. But the best part is the house itself! Incredible! This is what I think of when I think of a house that has secrets. Every turn there is something new to see or door to take, even if you don't see it there. I won't give away any of the secrets. So worth the admission price.

An interesting place. This belonged to a rich man who built many quirky things into his "house." There is a cave and a swimming pool. A wide variety of musical instruments and music boxes. There is even a two-person elevator if you're disabled and can't climb the stairs. You must make a reservation and you will be given a private tour. I loved this place.

We called ahead and Dave actually stayed over night to make sure he would be there to give 4 of us a tour since the weather was bad. We were there Feb 13, 2015. We were in for a real treat, and enjoyed all the stories, music boxes and hearing many of them play. The house itself was incredible and one can't really make note of all there is inside to see. Dave gave an excellent tour, we were there 3 hours and it seemed like minutes. I would mention to anyone that would like to go, be sure and call ahead to make arrangements. It is well worth all the effort, and they will try to make your schedule fit.

My boyfriend and I decided to explore this exclusive and very private mansion of Charles Brown III, an eccentric millionaire. The tour guide was a very good story teller as we learned a lot about Charles Brown III and the life he had in his home. I don't want to spoil any of the tales as the museum tells them the best. There are several hidden passages throughout the house and very beautifully sounding music machines. This house is limited to a few tours a week so make sure you make a reservation soon. Another good tip is to bring your GPS as it is in a secluded area and can be confusing. I would highly recommend this museum for music lovers like myself.

I am so glad we did this tour!! Great narratives given by our tour guide, and the place was very unique and fun to tour. Lots of surprises! Well worth the money. We liked it so much, we plan on going again when we return to Pittsburgh.

It's a house, so a house is in a neighborhood is the only odd part...not dislike...but odd part.The owner was fascinated with music making toys, furniture etc. Other than the indoor pool with hidden areas and the HUGE grill, and the wine cellar, and the hidden doors and stairways was the organ that was used for old movie soundeffects.

Went there on advice of friends not knowing what to expect. The guide was very entertaining and informative. The musical instruments and boxes are beautiful. Hidden staircases intriguing. So many things to see but not rushed through on tour. I encourage all to visit. There are stairs to climb several times so be aware if you have stair concerns

My husband and I took the 10:30 am tour on a Sat. am. This was the home of eccentric millionaire Chuck Brown. The house has 26 rooms, although the tour doesn't go to all of them. Chuck was a collector of music machines. We heard samples from many of these ranging from player pianos, banjo, violin, and the type you would hear at a county fair. All sounded different and were amazing to hear. The highlights included a cave to the wine cellar with dripping water and other effects. There was also a large telescope accessed via the master bedroom up a winding staircase. There are many hidden passages that we took on the tour. The docent had many interesting and funny stories about Mr. Brown. He was quite a prankster and would love playing tricks on his friends. The tour lasted approx. 2 1/2 hours. There is an elevator for accessibility. The $10 fee is well worth the price. It was a wonderful way to spend a rainy morning.

Although I lived in Pittsburgh for over 35 years, I had never heard of the Bayernhof Music Museum. Go. Yes. It's really interesting. And the music is great!! The description says it is a collection of music boxes -- but oh no -- it is much much more! When I think of music boxes I think of a smallish device with a round spiked cylinder that plinks out a short tune. The collector whose home this was has musical devices from the small to ones that cover an entire wall. The docent was very knowledgeable about the collection and answered questions as we toured the home and the collection. It took about 2 hours, and they request that you arrive 15 minutes beforehand. There are several sets of stairs to walk, so it is not advertised as being handicapped accessible, but Mom was treated to a ride in the elevator and only missed the part accessible via spiral staircase from a bedroom.You must RSVP. They even accommodated our party of 3. They take around only small groups at a time. I think children over 10 would fare well here. Some of the explanations of the history (of the owner, of the collection, how the machines work) are lengthy but the demonstrations are really good. Perhaps if you could inform them you have kids and request a more abbreviated tour.Allow 30-45 minutes to travel there from Oakland. It's over the Highland Park Bridge, and you have to go through Sharpsburg and way up a windy road to the top of a mountain.

Wow! This hard to find former home - now museum - is in a residential area of O'Hara Twp. overlooking the Allegheny and one of the locks, as well as fabulous views of the city. We had reservations for 10:30 on a Saturday morning. Tours are limited to about 10-12 people. The tour begins in the family room of Chuck Brown's unusual home. When you walk in, you feel as if you have stepped back in time and are in a Bavarian (Bayern) castle but with all the modern amenities. Our docent, Malcolm, gave a half hour talk providing background about the home, the museum, its collections, and Chuck. To say Chuck was eccentric is to put it mildly! Obviously a man with many interests and obsessions, from musical machines, stargazing, German culture, cooking, and entertaining, he seems to have indulged all of his boyhood fantasies. I can't prove it, but I suspect that Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria was his idol - lots of pictures of Neuschwanstein, swans, a manmade cave, secret passageways, Hummel figurines, beer steins worth thousands of dollars, and even plans to build a lake and "German" castle on the property. 13 wet bars, 3 fully equipped kitchens, the indoor swimming pool with 10 foot waterfall, an observatory, and other state-of-the art amenities attest to his more modern interests. On top of it all, his extensive collection of musical machines is truly amazing! Must be seen to be believed!!

This museum is a little out of the way, sitting in a residential community outside of the city, but well worth the drive to visit. I was expecting a museum full of music boxes but it is much more than that. This was a man's home, an eccentric man's home, and you get to see all of it. Not just the amazing music boxes, player pianos and musical contraptions of all shapes and sizes, oh no. You get to see and hear how this generous man had fun in this amazing house filled with secret passages and a man-made underground cave and shared the fun with his friends. I truly recommend this tour to anyone who would like to see a place really unique. Our tour took 2 hours.

My husband and I found out about the Bayernhof from watching KDKA's "Pittsburgh's Hidden Treasures", and that title can be used to describe this amazing house. Although the directions to the property are a little sketchy, once you arrive you'll find it well worth the trip. The view is spectacular, the guide was knowledgable, and the house is indescribable. My husband didn't enjoy the demonstrations of the music boxes as much as I did, but we both thought the house was amazing. Charles "Chuck" Brown, owner of the house, seemed to come to life through the many stories told during the tour. Each room is unique in its own way, from furniture to architecture to accessories. There are hidden staircases, a board room, fireplaces, wet bars, an elevator (not in working order), a game room with a "stained glass" ceiling, two kitchens, a formal dining room.....I could go on for a long time. The ending to the tour is set up perfectly. I won't spoil the surprise; I'll tell you to go take the tour for yourself. Some words of advice: the property is not handicapped accessible, I didn't need to use the restroom but I didn't see any public restrooms, and it is definitely not for younger children. The age limit is 12, but I can't see most teenagers enjoying it. Admission was only $10 and the tour lasted about 2 hours. Make sure to call in advance for reservations. I called on a Friday night and my call was returned the first thing Saturday morning. Group size is limited to 12 people.

This was formerly a private home that is now a" music",museum. Each of its many rooms can be described as wondrous and unbelievable. You think that nothing could be more awesome...until you step into the next room! Run, don't walk, to this amazing place.

The title says that its a music museum, but its so much more. First you'll have to find this gem perched high on a bluff overlooking the Allegheny River above Sharpsburg, PA. It's in the back of a very cozy neighborhood. The view is spectacular from the family room! The house is a mansion built in the 1980's by a Pittsburgh business man who was a bit eccentric. The tour starts with a history of the owner and the building. Then you are escorted through a maze of rooms and demonstrations of many of the music devices that Mr. Brown collected. To say more would diminish the uniqueness of the experience. Suffice to say that you've never been on a tour quite like this one. You must make reservations to get in, as the group sizes are small and tours are conducted only two times a day. Due to the nature of the tour I wouldn't plan on going if you require handicapped access, or you have children. www.bayernhofmuseum.com

You may not admire the Hummel figurines, the plastic flowers, the indoor waterfall, the imitation rococo clocks, the custom-made stained glass skylight, a bear-sized Nipper, Chuck's style of entertaining, or perhaps music machines bore you, but you have to admire Mr. Charles B.Brown, III's single-minded ambition and vision to create something memorable for when he is long gone. This was a memorable tour, highly entertaining and most enjoyable. The fact that this is a museum that not only exhibit music machines that Mr. Brown collected but that his foundation continues to seek, purchase and refurbish music machines will gladden the hearts of collectors, historians and sociologists. Definitely worth the fee we paid ($10 per in 2014). A pity that visitors are not allowed to walk the grounds in front of the house overlooking the Allegheny River but what was inside was more than sufficiently interesting.