Oberhof Manor

The current building of the historic Oberhof dates from 1728. Historical sources refer to an earlier construction period, as the von Uetterodt family acquired the Scharfenberg lordship with its castle seat around 1450, and it was already severely damaged at that time by the Thuringian-Saxon Fratricidal War. Therefore, two stately estates were built in the valley - the UNTERHOF and the OBERHOF. Until 1837, the noble family von Uetterodt zum Scharffenberg resided in the OBERHOF. In 1837, the entire Scharfenberg lordship passed from the Uetterodts to Duke Ernst I of Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha through sale. The handover took place in the presence of the Uetterodt officials and the guardian of the minor Count LUDWIG WOLF SIGISMUND VON UETTERODT. The OBERHOF then housed the ducal head forestry office until 1923, and until 1951 it was a residence for the local gendarme, the court bailiff, and other families. From 1951 to 1990, Thal Primary School was located here. Today, the historic OBERHOF is the seat of the Thal Local History Association and the Senior Citizens' Club.

The Thal Local History Room, opened by the Thal Local History Association in 1996, is located, as is the public library of the Local History Association, in the historic "OBERHOF" of the former Scharfenberg lordship. The historic building, which later housed the ducal head forestry office, today accommodates the 5-room Thal Local History Room. It provides information about the history of the village of Thal, the Scharfenberg castle ruins, the Wilhelmiten monastery Weißenborn, witch trials, geology, flora, fauna, and local customs. Among other things, a living/bedroom and a kitchen can be visited. Thal folk costumes and much interesting information about the life of the Thal population enrich the lovingly designed establishment.