Trundle Manor

Trundle Manor
Trundle Manor's Parlor is filled with items.
Trundle Manor is located in Pittsburgh
Trundle Manor
Location within Pittsburgh
Established2007 (2007)
Location7724 Juniata St
Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Coordinates40°25′22″N 79°52′50″W / 40.422890°N 79.880569°W / 40.422890; -79.880569
TypeTourist trap
FounderAnton and Rachel Miriello
Nearest parkingOn street
Websitetrundlemanor.com

Trundle Manor is a macabre art museum and oddity tourist trap in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1] It was founded by artist couple and Anton and Rachel Miriello and houses their personal collection of cryptozoology, vintage taxidermy, and jarred specimens.[2][3]

When entertaining guests, Anton Miriello and Rachel Miriello go by Mr. Arm and Velda Von Minx respectively.[4] Visitors are asked to donate items to the collection for tour payment. Donations vary from booze, former pets now preserved in jars, to killing implements.[5][6]

History

The Miriellos acquired the victorian property which became Trundle Manor in 2007. Their fascination with Goth, Steampunk and classic horror films, led the couple to amass a private collection of oddities. The couple’s intrigue with the macabre began in their respective childhoods.[7][5] Mr. Arm recalls, "I’ve been collecting since I was a little kid".[4] They opened their collection, and house, to the public for tours in 2009. It attracts thousands a year as it has been prominently featured as place of interest in Pittsburgh.[8][9][10] Trundle Manor was featured on “MTV’s Extreme Cribs” in 2011.[2][6][11] Apart from giving tours, Trundle Manor also organizes and takes part in various events. It often hosts taxidermy classes, art, and comedy shows.[5][12] They have taken their collection on the road as a traveling 'creep show'.[1][13]

Exhibits

Olivia's Singing Tumor

Olivia’s Singing Tumor is the centerpiece of their human reliquary. It features a large benign tumor encased in a glass jar with a musical contraption that makes it “sing.” The said tumor was donated by a belly dancer who gave it to the couple on the condition that it be put on display.[1][5][14]

References

  1. ^ a b c Garcia, Deanna (July 31, 2017). "Part Museum, Part Home: Animal Parts, Oddities And Love Make Up Pittsburgh's Trundle Manor". WESA. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Creepy Oddities Abundant Inside Swissvale's Trundle Manor". Pittsburgh Tribune Review. September 14, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  3. ^ Jones, Jeremy (October 12, 2018). "Trundle Manor – Pittsburgh's Most Unique Collection of Oddities". Discover the Burch. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Sinichak, Jessica (August 20, 2015). "You Should Know Mr Arm and Velda Von Minx". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved March 20, 2019. I've been collecting since I was a little kid... Once we got this house, the collection grew a lot faster
  5. ^ a b c d Wardle, Lisa (September 22, 2016). "Taxidermy and a singing tumor make Trundle Manor a home to artists: Cool Spaces". Penn Live. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  6. ^ a b McLachlan, Megan (March 18, 2019). "Actually Cool Things to Do When Someone Visits Pittsburgh". Thrillist. Retrieved March 20, 2019. Donations, which can include money, taxidermy, dead things, killing implements, and booze.
  7. ^ Schneck, Marcus (August 15, 2014). "Sharks in Pennsylvania: Freaky Trundle Manor has a few, in jars". Penn Live. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  8. ^ Schell, Regan (August 10, 2018). "What Do Holy Relics, Neon Lights and Racing Pierogies have in Common?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  9. ^ Conner, Foo (December 1, 2016). "13 Odd Pittsburgh Museums You Need to See". Jekko. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  10. ^ Douglas, Cassandra (September 10, 2018). "22 Surreal Places In Pittsburgh You Won't Believe Exist". Narcity. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  11. ^ Jonathon 'Earl' Stein; Sarah Hunter (Aug 9, 2011). MTV Extreme Cribs (Television production). Pittsburgh, PA: MTV. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2019. Alt URL
  12. ^ O'Driscoll, Bill (September 1, 2015). "Art Opening Friday at Trundle Manor". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  13. ^ Thomas, Mary (July 5, 2012). "The Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival offers everything from Mysterians to Creepshows to comics". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 20, 2019. taxidermy, jarred specimens, medical implements and odd weaponry.
  14. ^ Machosky, Michael (November 2, 2017). "13 Unusual Little Pittsburgh Museums Worth Getting Lost In". NEXTPittsburgh. Retrieved March 20, 2019. Olivia's Tumor sits inside a giant jar, attached to an antique music box, playing music