Deutsches Thermometermuseum Geraberg

About the museum

From the 19th century onward, a major technical glass industry developed in the Thuringian Forest around Ilmenau, Stützerbach and Gehlberg. Geraberg became a center of thermometer production: small workshops grew into companies that manufactured measuring instruments in large quantities for the world market.

The impetus for the museum came from a local women's group that collected old room thermometers. From these holdings and further pieces from the region, an exhibition was created in a listed house below the church, which was renovated starting in 2000. The museum partially opened in January 2002 and was fully furnished by June 2004; since 2008 it has carried the additional name "Museum für Thermometrie und Wetterinstrumente" (Museum of Thermometry and Weather Instruments).

It was initially run by the municipality of Geraberg and, following a municipal merger, is now run by the Landgemeinde Geratal; a friends' association supports exhibitions and events. A two-story extension (2011–2015) added a museum shop, restrooms and an experiment room, and in 2018 a newly designed exhibition opened in the attic.

The collection spans a replica of Galileo's air thermoscope, historic liquid-in-glass thermometers from regional production, barometers, hygrometers and electronic measuring methods. A thermometer glassblower demonstrates how a glass tube becomes a precision instrument.

Highlights

• Demonstration by a thermometer glassblower
• Replica of Galileo's air thermoscope (c. 1600)
• Historic thermometers, barometers and hygrometers from the region
• Hands-on and experiment area for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Von der Beobachtung zur Messung – Thermometer und Wetterinstrumente – A tour through the development of temperature measurement from Galileo to electronics, with regional glass thermometers, weather instruments, examples of applications and a glassblowing demonstration.

Founded

2002

Operated by

Landgemeinde Geratal

Admission & discounts

According to the museum, further discounts are available on request.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Hands-on area where children discover technology through small experiments; family ticket for 2 adults and up to 2 children.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop in the annex.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit