Megan Trotter | Staff Writer
Oct. 13, 2022
One place to immerse yourself into the world of weird and unusual displays this Halloween season is Anton and Rachel Miriello’s Trundle Manor, a privately owned collection of cryptozoology, vintage taxidermy and jarred specimens.
Located inside their suburban residence in Swissvale, the Miriellos, otherwise known as Mr. Arm and Velda Von Minx, offer weekly tours by appointment only. Guests can expect to be greeted by Velda dressed in vintage all-black, gothic-chic attire.
Inspired by the 1991 supernatural comedy film “The Addams Family,” Arm and Velda transformed their house into an exhibit of the eerie and odd. Almost every object in the collection was acquired through donations or vintage antique shops; those who visit must have a strong stomach and be prepared to see some potentially upsetting items.
The collection features surgical equipment, animal and human remains, self-made taxidermy, devil masks, pet leeches and several other disturbing items. Since the walls are completely covered it is hard to take everything in at once. Luckily, Velda and Arm took the time to guide visitors from one item to the next, carefully explaining what each was and how they came to own it.
One of the more notable pieces in the collection is a tumor that came from the inside of one of their friends — Arm and Velda pull a velvet cloth off of the display jar and, when revealed, it begins to play an eerie song.
They even offered to let me pet their deceased cat, Little Devil, who had been freeze dried and placed into a glass display.
The exterior of the manor resembles the remains of a house abandoned during a zombie apocalypse — the windows are boarded up with wooden slabs and the grass is heavily overgrown. In the lawn stands a 12-foot skeleton next to a large white “Ghostbusters-esque van. there Antique radios and experiment chambers are scattered throughout the yard, with security cameras everywhere as well. In the car garage outside sit two of the most interesting modified vehicles, with one car painted completely purple and shooting out flames.
Tour groups reach a maximum of eight people and are expected to show up on time and wear masks for the duration of the tour. Anyone who assumes they will be permitted into the house without an appointment or a minute before their scheduled time will be disappointed.
Arm and Velda happily answer any and all questions pertaining to the oddity of their collection — they seem excited to share their passion with others. However, parents should be aware that some of the language and humor used on the tour may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
Despite the house appearing relatively small, the tour lasts about 45 minutes and only features the downstairs living area. Their tours are light-hearted, and despite being surrounded by disturbing items, Arm and Velda make you feel right at home.
Though payment is not necessary when exploring the manor, Arm and Velda encourage visitors to donate: whether by means of $20 per group or through more artifacts and trinkets to be added to their home. Visit trundlemanor.com to book a tour today.