Bayernhof Museum

The History of Bayernhof

Charles B. Brown, III
"Chuck"

Chuck Brown wanted a unique house with a great view of Pittsburgh and the surrounding countryside. In 1968, he rented a helicopter and flew up and down the three rivers, looking for a special spot to build his special home. On top of the mountain overlooking Sharpsburg, the Allegheny River, and the Pittsburgh Zoo, he found two parcels of land totaling slightly more than 18 acres. Construction began in 1976 and was completed in 1982. The result was “Bayernhof,” Chuck’s one-of-a-kind castle in O’Hara Township.

Although Chuck was quiet and shy by nature, he always enjoyed showing his home to friends and other guests and visitors. Dinner and a tour through Bayernhof was without fail an adventure-filled evening. It was, and is, impossible to see everything in one trip or ten.

Chuck had a modest collection of antique music boxes which he had begun to purchase in the early 1970s. However, in the late 1980s, he began to accumulate larger, more intricate automatic antique music machines. This hobby soon became a passion, and eventually he assembled a world-class collection of these unusual and amazing inventions. Most of the machines are over 100 years old, and they often require some level of restoration and always require constant maintenance.

It was Chuck’s dream that his home and his collection be preserved for future generations to enjoy. With that in mind, in his last Will and Testament, he established The John Schneider Loresch Foundation for the purpose of maintaining, preserving, and expanding both Bayernhof and the collection. With customary modesty, he named the foundation after his great-grandfather.

We invite you to join us for a tour of Bayernhof. Learn about Chuck Brown, watch and listen to these wonderful machines, and experience your own trip though this unique building. Find out why Bayernhof Museum is often referred to as Pittsburgh’s most amazing, best-kept secret. We look forward to hosting you soon.