Chris Rowan never meant to move to Western Pennsylvania — but then a random article on one of the websites he frequents caught his eye. 

“The headline read ‘Buffalo Bill’s House Goes on the Market.’ I was immediately intrigued, as my first thought was ‘Are they talking about Buffalo Bill – from ‘Silence of the Lambs’?” Rowan wrote in his bio on buffalobillshouse.com.  

After confirming it was, the New York resident — a horror movie buff who works in the film and television production industry as an art director and prop stylist —  contacted the realtor for the house at 8 Circle St. in Perryopolis in Fayette County, about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. Upon making a road trip to see the four-bedroom, Queen Anne-style Victorian, which stood in as the residence of the serial killer pursued by FBI trainee Clarice Starling (played by Jodi Foster) in the 1991 film, Rowan was sold. 

“Upon entering, the interior was even more stunning than the home’s exterior,” Rowan wrote. “I found myself standing in the foyer, and made my way through to the dining room, and kitchen, all very recognizable from a number of scenes from ‘Silence of the Lambs’”

That was in October. In the months since, Rowan has been busy transforming the house into a boutique vacation rental — appropriately dubbed Buffalo’s Bill’s House — that draws on its connection to the classic horror movie. 

And, although the infamous basement pit where Buffalo Bill (played by Ted Levine) kept his victims was actually shot on a soundstage, Rowan plans to have the well, as well as Buffalo Bill’s workshop, recreated and built on-site as permanent sets. No word on whether he plans to offer lotion baskets to visitors.  

To celebrate Buffalo Bill’s House grand opening — as well as the 30th anniversary of “The Silence of the Lambs” — Rowan is hosting a contest where entrants could win a two-night stay at the property. The contest (enter it here) runs through Sunday, Feb. 28. Winners will be announced in March. 

Rowan says his hope is the house, which sits on close to 2 acres of land along the Youghiogheny River, will become a “cinematic destination.” Beyond overnight stays, he plans to offer guided tours and to make the property available as a shooting location for TV and movies. 

Regular bookings should begin within the next few months. In the meantime, you can reserve a spot now for an overnight stay. Just click on the website’s button that says “Book Now or else you’ll get the hose again!”