Upcoming Museum Closures

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum WILL BE CLOSED MAY 27-28 for the holiday weekend.

​Tinker Swiss Cottage may close during the winter months due to weather conditions.
The museum is closed on Mondays. We apologize for any inconvenience.

#You Belong in a Museum

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In 2023, Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens continues our You Belong in a Museum campaign!
 
Throughout the year, we will have lectures, workshops, open houses, family game days, members only night tours, and free admission dates for you to explore what is it like to be a part of the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum!

Join us for these upcoming free admission dates:

May: Every Tuesday
June: 7th, 14th, 21st
July: 11th, 5th
August: 2nd, 16th
September: Every Tuesday
 
Don’t miss out! Keep your eyes peeled for announcements for these events and so much more on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtags #youbelonginamuseum and #ibelonginamuseum

Paranormal Tour w/ Haunted Rockford & The Paranormal Professor Joel Ramsey
June 16     7-10pm

​We are excited to partner with Haunted Rockford to bring back The Paranormal Professor, Joel Ramsey, to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum! 

Join us for scintillating tales from paranormal experts, listen to audio clips found in the Tinker Cottage, and enjoy a tour with the chance to have your own paranormal encounter. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment (cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, emf). Each event begins in the Barn.

Storytime: Trains
June 15th    10:30am

Seating is limited - sign up today HERE! 

"H.H. Holmes: Beyond Devil in the White City" 
Summer Lecture
July 9th    2-4pm

Join award-winning filmmaker and author John Borowski as he delivers an interactive lecture and Q&A on America's first serial killer: H.H. Holmes. 

This lecture will take place on Sunday July 9th in the lower level of the Tinker Barn from 2-4pm. 

The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members. 
 
*Space is limited, so reserve today!

Storytime: The Victorians
July 27th    10:30am

Seating is limited - sign up today HERE! ​

Shadows of Rockford w/ The Klinge Brothers
July 28-29

INVESTIGATE THE TINKER COTTAGE, MEMORIAL HALL, OR BOTH WITH THE KLINGE BROTHERS AND RICHARD ESTEP

Friday - July 28th, 2023 - Tinker CottageEnjoy a meet and greet pizza party with world renowned paranormal investigators the Klinge Brothers (Discovery Channel's Ghost Lab), Richard Estep(Travel Channel's Paranormal 911 and Haunted Hospitals) and psychic medium Dana Stricker. Then, investigate the historic and haunted Swiss Tinker Cottage. 

Saturday - July 29th, 2023 - Veterans Memorial Hall
​Enjoy a variety of vendors offering items and services in the areas of paranormal, spiritual, and macabre. Also listen to speakers such as the Klinge Brothers, Richard Estep, and Dana Stricker as the discuss their personal experiences, behind the scene secrets and extensive knowledge of the supernatural.  Later that evening, there will be an investigation of the building.

"So, You Think You're a Rockford Historian?" 
Summer Lecture 
August 13th   2-4pm

Join local historian Amanda Becker in this interactive game-show styled lecture. Becker will give prompts to the audience then discuss those historic 

This lecture will take place on Sunday August 13th in the lower level of the Tinker Barn from 2-4pm. 

The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members. 
 *Space is limited, so reserve today!

Tour of Volunteerism
​August 19th    10-11:30am

Join us for a chance to learn, tour and become a volunteer for three of Rockford’s historic house museums! On Saturday, August 19th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, please join the Ethnic Heritage Museum Park, Swedish Historical Society, and Tinker Swiss Cottage for an opportunity to learn and explore three of Rockford’s historic house museums.
This will be an introduction to the Graham-Ginestra House, the Erlander Home Museum and Tinker Swiss Cottage.
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Join current volunteers and staff of each location as we tour each facility and learn how to volunteer with each location! The tour begins at the Ethnic Heritage Museum Park, as both the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham Ginestra Home will be toured. Then it is a quick drive over to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum for a tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage. The final stop is at the Erlander Home Museum with a wrap-up presentation in the Nordic Cultural Center.

Maps will be given with all site locations, but please note that not all locations are ADA compliant.
This information packed day is a chance to explore, ask questions and find out how you can help volunteer and support the organizations that share parts of Rockford’s historic past!

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to museum@swedishhistorical.org or info@tinkercottage.com.

Check out our segment from 
Dean on the Streets! 

Tinker's Shadow
​New Documentary of Tinker Swiss Cottage Now Available!

Looking for a fun way to take Tinker home with you? Director Michael Kleen has put together a wonderful new documentary on Tinker Swiss Cottage, titled Tinker's Shadow: The Hidden History of Tinker Swiss Cottage.

​The documentary is available to purchase through Amazon, or you can get your DVD copy in our gift shop! Proceeds will go towards helping us to maintain the Cottage. 

​*Reminder: Please select "Tinker Swiss Cottage" as the benefactor when you shop at smile.amazon.com

Check out the trailer HERE!
​Watch the documentary HERE!

Storytime: Hawaiian Life
May 18th    10:30am

Seating is limited - sign up today HERE! 

SOLD OUT!!
Fairy Tale Tea
June 3   11am

Calling all princesses, princes and creatures of all kinds!
Are you looking for an afternoon fit for the whole family?

Tinker Swiss Cottage is bringing back our annual Fairy Tale Tea Party! We are excited to partner with Characters 2 Life to bring two princesses to join us during our 3 course tea party! 

This event is sponsored by Characters 2 Life and Nothing Bundt Cakes. Be sure to join in the fun of this special family friendly event! 

"The Underground Railroad in the Rock River Valley"
Summer Lecture
​June 4        2:00pm

In the times leading up to the American Civil War, Illinois residents were affected by the institution of slavery, despite the state’s status as a declared free state. Fugitive black slaves would enter and traverse Illinois in their attempts to escape slave catchers and achieve freedom.

Among the primary routes was the corridor leading from certain Mississippi River crossings in Missouri to lower Lake Michigan communities in northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin, through the Rock and Fox River Valleys. From there freedom seekers were compelled to emigrate to Canada where slave-catching was not allowed.

Join us as we learn more about the history of the Underground Railroad in the Rock River Valley. 
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This lecture will take place on Sunday June 4th in the lower level of the Tinker Barn from 2-4pm. 

The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members. *Space is limited, so reserve today!

Mysteries at the Museum 
Summer Camp
June 27-30    8am-1pm

Looking for something fun and different this summer? Let Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum take you back in time! 

Children will explore overarching historic themes while participating in activities, games, crafts, and other hands-on learning. 

At the Mysteries at the Museum Summer Camp, campers will learn how to be inquisitive detectives as we learn about history with the help of the great Victorian detective, Sherlock Holmes! 

Tinkering Around with the Tinkers Summer Camp
July 18-21      8am-1pm

Looking for something fun and different this summer? Let Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum take you back in time! 

Children will explore overarching historic themes while participating in activities, games, crafts, and other hands-on learning. 

At the Tinkering with the Tinkers Summer Camp, campers will experience what life was like for the Victorian family that called the Cottage home. ​

Percentage Night Fundraiser at Backyard Grill & Bar
July 27th    5-8pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum at Backyard Grill & Bar as we host our summer fundraiser! 

From 5-8pm on Thursday, July 27th, 20% of all food sales (dine in AND carry out) will go towards the museum! Dine in or get your food to go - either way helps the museum grow! 

Made in Rockford
Summer Camp
August 8-11    8am-1pm

Looking for something fun and different this summer? Let Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum take you back in time! 

Children will explore overarching historic themes while participating in activities, games, crafts, and other hands-on learning. 

At the Made in Rockford Summer Camp, campers will discover what put Rockford on the map, both nationwide and worldwide! ​

Storytime: Made in Rockford
August 17th    10:30am

Seating is limited - sign up today HERE! ​

Haunted Rockford Paranormal Conference 
August 26th    10am-5pm

Haunted Rockford Paranormal Events; Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens; and Veterans Memorial Hall are proud to present the 2023 Illinois Paranormal Conference.
Join speakers and vendors from all aspects of Paranormal Research. Speakers will include Dale Kaczmarek; and Society for Anomalous Studies member Cindy Heinen. Other vendors include Ghost Head Soup & Paranormal Pickers; and Chuck Williams, paranormal investigator and documentary filmmaker.
Tickets are $25 and must be paid in advance with PayPal payment. Tickets must be paid for via PayPal at time of registration.
Online orders not paid via PayPal at the time of registration will be canceled.
Other arrangements can be made by calling Kathi at 815-871-4239.
Online registration will close on Friday, 25 August, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum            411 Kent St. Rockford, IL 61102              P: (815)964-2424              info@tinkercottage.com 
*All header images provided by © Rockford Park District - Photo by Jesse Fox

Contact Us

Have questions? Want to check in before you arrive? Ask us here!