Bayernhof Music Museum facts for kids
The Bayernhof Music Museum is a special place that shows off a huge collection of musical instruments from the 1800s and 1900s. These aren't just any instruments; they are "automated," meaning they can play music by themselves!
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Discover the Bayernhof Music Museum
This unique museum is located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. You can find it in a quiet area called O'Hara Township, Pennsylvania. The museum is inside a beautiful German-style mansion. This amazing house sits on a large piece of land, about 18 acres, high above the Allegheny River Valley. It's like a castle on a hill, offering great views!
Who Built This Amazing Place?
The mansion itself is called Bayernhof. It was a big project that cost $4.2 million and was finished in 1982. It was built as a private home for a man named Charles Brown III. He was born in 1935 and passed away in 1999. Charles Brown III was the founder and CEO of a company called Gas-Lite Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh. He loved music and collecting, which is why this museum exists today.
What's Inside the Bayernhof Mansion?
The Bayernhof mansion is huge, covering about 19,000 square feet! It's full of interesting and fun features:
- A rooftop observatory, perfect for looking at the stars.
- An indoor cave, which sounds like an adventure!
- A swimming pool with a 10-foot (3-meter) waterfall.
- 10 cozy fireplaces.
- Eight full bathrooms and three smaller powder rooms.
- Three full-size kitchens.
- A completely restored copper still, which is a historical piece of equipment.
When Did the Museum Open?
Charles Brown III wanted his amazing collection and home to be shared with others. So, in his will, he asked for it to become a museum. The Bayernhof Music Museum officially opened its doors to the public in 2004, allowing everyone to enjoy its unique musical treasures and the incredible mansion.
