Entry No. 1 — the Pittsburgh file — filed under: haunted
Trundle Manor
This private residence doubles as a bizarre, gothic cabinet of curiosities filled with taxidermy, jarred specimens, vintage medical equipment, and creepy art. Tours are led by the eccentric owners who show off oddities like a singing tumor and a secret passage leading to the kitchen.
The story
From the curb on Juniata Street, the house looks like any other residential structure in Swissvale. Step past the threshold, however, and you are inside the private home and dense personal Wunderkammer of artists Anton and Velda. Trundle Manor isn't a glossy, venture-backed attraction—it is a lived-in residence turned full-scale sanctuary for the bizarre, packed wall-to-ceiling with taxidermy, preserved wet specimens, and forgotten medical implements.
The collection is as playful as it is unsettling. Room by room, you'll encounter jarred oddities, vintage medical gear engineered for procedures best left in the past, custom macabre artwork, and eccentric architectural tweaks—including a secret doorway hidden behind a bookcase that leads directly into the kitchen. Outside in the back sits their custom flame-throwing car, driving home the point that the line between museum and private playground here does not exist.
What it's like
You are entering a private home, not a traditional gallery with velvet ropes and security guards. Tours are strictly by appointment, typically hosted by the owners themselves who walk you through the rooms and share the provenance of their strangest pieces. Text Mr. Arm in advance to schedule a visit, bring cash or a bottle of hard liquor to drop in the donation jar, and prepare for an intensely personal look at a truly obsessive collection.
The move: Book a private 'Twisted Tour' by calling ahead, bring a donation of cash or 'non-beer alcohol' to leave in their jar, and marvel at their custom flame-throwing car parked out back.
- 📍 Swissvale
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 7724 Juniata St, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- The Carrie Deer — Pair Swissvale's premier indoor oddity house with a short trip down the hill to see a 40-foot guerrilla deer sculpture built from abandoned mill scrap.
- Rivers of Steel (Carrie Blast Furnaces) — Follow up an intimate tour of macabre collectibles with a walk through the massive industrial skeleton of the nearby blast furnaces.
- Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop — Head just up the road into Wilkinsburg to transition from cabinet curiosities to an intentional botanica offering Hoodoo tools and spiritual supplies.
Good to know
How do I book a tour of Trundle Manor?
Visits are by appointment only. You can text Mr. Arm directly at 412-916-5544 or reach out via the contact form on their official website.
How much does admission cost?
There is no rigid ticket price, but visitors are expected to bring a contribution for the donation jar—specifically cash or 'non-beer alcohol'.
Where is it located?
Trundle Manor is located at 7724 Juniata St in Swissvale, PA, a residential neighborhood just east of Pittsburgh.
What kind of items are inside the collection?
The house is filled with preserved wet specimens in jars, taxidermy, vintage medical devices, dark visual art, and unique home modifications like secret passages.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura · Wikipedia · uncoveringpa.com
last checked: 2026-07-21