the volume that the pianist used and reproduces the sound quite
accurately.
An interesting fixture at the museum is that of Mlle. Zita, the
antique fortune-telling machine manufactured by the Roovers Bros.
For a penny, visitors can receive a small scroll imprinted with their
fortunes. Though Ms. Zita is not musical, she does blow a kiss to
those patrons who leave their pennies. Marsico comments wryly,
“She doesn’t work all the time. I guess she just got tired of working for
pennies.”
Visitors from as far away as Asia and Australia have visited the
museum and tourists from England and Germany are fairly common.
One gentleman from Taipei was extremely excited to see the
collection. He was the owner of five companies in his native Taiwan
and was starting his own rare music collection.
Marsico notes, “Many people who have visited here say it’s the best
museum they’re ever been to.”
Brown remained single all his life and left a will in which he detailed
his wishes to create the music museum, with special instructions
for the artifacts to be displayed in his home, rather than the cold
impersonal atmosphere of a warehouse-type setting. A foundation
was created to maintain the museum for perpetuity. A debt of
gratitude is owed to Brown, who created his dream and then resolved
to share it with the world.
The Bayernhof Museum is open year-round, seven days a week,
by appointment only. The tour is approximately 2.5 hours, so
comfortable shoes are a must. For more information, visit the website at
BayernhofMuseum.com or call 412.782.4231. ■
Fox Chapel Area | Winter 2013 | icmags.com 57