The first hammer forge was probably built in 1482 on the River
Ohra. In 1592 the mill was bought by Tobias Albrecht, since when it has been named after him. The works originally had three huge iron hammers which were raised by the motion of a
water wheel. The mill made iron products such as
scythes,
sickles,
ploughshares,
lances and
swords. Later, it also carried out
copper processing;
washbowls,
washtubs,
kettle drums, brewing implements, pots, cans and pans were made. The kettle drums, which were produced into the late 20th century, were made from a single piece of copper, forged under the
tilt hammer and still set a standard today in terms of their sound. The Tobiashammer was owned by the Albrecht family until 1816 when they sold it. Thereafter its owners changed more often. From the mid-19th century the mill was significantly enlarged. A
rolling mill and a second hammer mill was built. The office (
Kontorhaus), built in 1882, now acts as a restaurant, the
Hammerschenke. In 1972 the old, ruined hammer mill was bought from private owners by the Ohrdruf Steelworks. In 1983 the Tobiashammer was opened to the public as a demonstration mill. == Museum, technology and art==