Trundle Manor is a
macabre
In works of art, the adjective macabre ( or ; ) means "having the quality of having a grim or ghastly atmosphere". The macabre works to emphasize the details and symbols of death. The term also refers to works particularly gruesome in natu ...
art museum and oddity tourist trap in
Swissvale
Swissvale is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, east of downtown Pittsburgh. Named for a farmstead owned by James Swisshelm, during the industrial age it was the site of the Union Switch and Signal Company of George We ...
,
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...
, near
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...
.
It was founded by artist couple and Anton and Rachel Miriello and houses their personal collection of
cryptozoology
Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience and subculture that searches for and studies unknown, legendary, or extinct animals whose present existence is disputed or unsubstantiated, particularly those popular in folklore, such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness ...
, vintage
taxidermy
Taxidermy is the art of preserving an animal's body by mounting (over an armature) or stuffing, for the purpose of display or study. Animals are often, but not always, portrayed in a lifelike state. The word ''taxidermy'' describes the proces ...
, and jarred specimens.
When entertaining guests, Anton Miriello and Rachel Miriello go by Mr. Arm and Velda Von Minx respectively.
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.
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.
Mr. Arm recalls, "I’ve been collecting since I was a little kid".
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. Trundle Manor was featured on “MTV’s Extreme Cribs” in 2011.
Apart from giving tours, Trundle Manor also organizes and takes part in various events. It often hosts taxidermy classes, art, and comedy shows.
They have taken their collection on the road as a traveling 'creep show'.
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.
References
External links
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Artists from Pittsburgh
Art museums and galleries in Pennsylvania
Art museums and galleries established in 2007
Culture of Pittsburgh
Houses in Pittsburgh
Museums in Pittsburgh
Tourist attractions in Pittsburgh