The address is unassuming, a quaint house on a quiet Pennsylvania street adjacent to railroad tracks in The Laurel Highlands. But step inside Buffalo Bill’s House, and the air crackles with a different kind of history. This Victorian beauty isn’t just another unique rental home; it’s a meticulously preserved piece of cinematic legend, the setting for the unforgettable climax of “The Silence of the Lambs.” I recently took a day tour of both the house and the property – here’s a peek into what you can expect when you do.
There’s a good chance that I’ve seen “The Silence of the Lambs” 100 times, easily. Having just graduated high school in 1991, the memory of my first viewing will never leave me. My father rented the VHS tape for me (I’ve always loved psych thrillers and horror movies) and, while in the house alone, I put the tape into the player and sat down to watch.
This is the only movie I’ve ever had to pause multiple times compliments of the fear it instilled in me. It’s that emotional response that made it then, and still today, my favorite movie of all time. Does it still give me the heebie jeebies? I know it so well that’s it’s definitely faded but, yes, there are a couple of scenes that still get under my skin after all of these years, no pun intended.
Filmed roughly 80 percent around the Pittsburgh area, I’ve been to several locations including the entemology department at Carnegie Museum of Natural History (think the bug chess scene) and with each new location ticked off the list, it’s been one step closer to the house where Jame Gumm, aka Buffalo Bill, met his match and demise. The opportunity to tour the actual house from the movie, though? A dream come true.
Buffalo Bill’s House Tour
Right on time, I’m greeted by Chris Rowan, the enthusiastic owner. He leads me, and a dozen others, on a tour, pointing out details that sent shivers down my spine while watching the film.
In between notable set locations including the front door complete with scratch marks, the foyer where Clarice takes the house in, the dining room where Bill looks for old Mrs. Lippman’s son’s business card and phone number, and the kitchen where he bolts down to the basement, there’s time to check out fan art that’s practically everywhere.
In the dining room where Clarice finally faced her foe, a morbid curiosity tugs at me. The wallpaper may be different, but the layout, the sense of impending confrontation – it’s all there. The house isn’t all chills, though. The Victorian charm is undeniable, with its high ceilings, ornate woodwork, and antique furniture.
Chris has expertly updated the property, maintaining its historical integrity while adding modern comforts including new beds and linens in the four themed bedrooms for overnight guests.
We take a break to watch a couple of minutes from the movie that shows what the film crew did to the house to make it movie quality. They put in a new kitchen, added wallpaper and then weathered it, and added in plenty of green paint as Jonathan Demme liked the color – a fact I learn on the tour.
Before the basement, we take a peek at the third level. It’s been turned into a game/tv room with a horror movie theme. For folks that stay overnight, there’s unlimited use of the room for watching movies or playing free-to-use classic arcade games.
Buffalo Bill’s House Tour: The Basement
Saving the best for last, we all headed down into the basement. It’s the spot where Bill held his captive, Katherine Martin, in the well and it feels… warmer than it should. I expected dark lighting and an allover creepy vibe but’s quite the opposite – or maybe it’s just me.
Chris has gone to great length to recreate both the sewing room scene, complete with silk robe, feather boa, and blonde wig, and the well in the back. Each area is interactive and plays Q Lazzarus’s “Goodbye Horses” (every time I hear it I have to turn it off, still) and audio clips from Katherine’s dialogue.
For both recreated sets, we had all of the time we needed to take photos and video. I, personally, love the fact that Chris was more than happy to take photos of all of the guests and even helped Molly and I reproduce the “Don’t you make me hurt your dog!” scene from the movie.
What you won’t find is the basement bathtub scene and the doors at the bottom of the basement steps, which is fine as I can’t imagine old Mrs. Lippman still there. As for the doors, they’re chalked up to movie magic and never existed in the original basement to begin with, only added in for effect.
In a Nutshell
Buffalo Bill’s House isn’t for everyone. But for those who appreciate a good scare and a deep dive into movie history, it’s a pilgrimage site. It’s a chance to walk where legends walked, to confront the darkness, and emerge, blinking a little in the sunlight, forever changed by the experience. The two-hour tour goes by quickly and, while I would have loved a creepier version (one’s not available or I would have asked for it), this tour’s good for both kids and adults.
A huge thank you to Mr. Chris Rowan for having me out on a public tour this week. You made this fan’s dream come true!