Bayernhof Music Museum

The Bayernhof Music Museum sits in a German-style mansion overlooking the Allegheny River Valley and houses a collection of self-playing musical instruments. The exhibition displays these historic devices throughout the rooms where visitors can explore how their mechanical systems work.

The mansion was built in 1982 and later converted into a museum to preserve the instrument collection. The founder left his extensive collection to the public through his will, establishing the museum in the early 2000s.

The collection showcases mechanical musical instruments that demonstrate how people created automated music long before modern technology existed. Visitors can observe and hear how these devices functioned and what role they played in entertainment during the 1800s and 1900s.

Visits must be booked several weeks in advance, and children under 12 cannot attend. Access is through guided tours where a knowledgeable guide shows the collection and the property.

The property features an indoor cave and a rooftop observatory alongside the instrument galleries. These distinctive elements transform the house into more than a simple museum building and reflect the owner's personal interests.

Location: O'Hara Township

Inception: 2004

Address: 225 Saint Charles Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15215

Website: https://bayernhofmuseum.com

GPS coordinates: 40.49840,-79.91590

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:00