Upcoming Museum Closures

Tinker Swiss Cottage may close during the winter months due to weather conditions.
We apologize for any inconvenience. 

#You Belong in a Museum

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In 2020, 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:

September: All Wednesdays
October: 6th, 13th
November: 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th
​December: 2nd, 9th
 
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 with
The Ghost Hunter Dan Norvell Project  

October 9              7:00PM

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to bring back our friends from The Ghost Hunter Dan Norvell Project! At this event you'll see and hear evidence captured from the group's previous investigations in the Cottage before you join us on a tour of your own. 

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.
*This event is limited to 20 guests*

Paranormal Tour with
The Society for Anomalous Studies  

October 23              7:00PM

​Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to bring back our friends from The Society for Anomalous Studies! At this event you'll see and hear evidence captured from the group's previous investigations in the Cottage before you join us on a tour of your own. 

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.
*This event is limited to 20 guests*

Paranormal Investigation with Ghost Head Soup  

October 30              7:00PM

Did you ever want to see what a real paranormal investigation is all about? This is your chance to find out! Join us as our friends from Ghost Head Soup lead us on a paranormal investigation of Tinker Swiss Cottage the night before Halloween! 
 
This exciting event will let you be the paranormal investigator! Guests will be in small groups as you join the team in the most active locations in the Cottage. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment (cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, emf). This event begins in the Barn.
*This event is limited to 10 guests*

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!

Paranormal Tour with
"The Ghost Gadget Guy" 

October 2              7:00PM

Join us as we kick off our 2020 October Paranormal season with Michael Kravchuk - The Ghost Gadget Guy! 

At each Paranormal Tour you'll hear 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.
*This event is limited to 20 guests*

3rd Annual Trunk or Treat
"Drive Thru" Event

October 11            1:00-3:00PM

Calling all monsters, princesses, super heroes, and cartoon characters!
Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum for our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat event!

​In order to keep all of our visitors safe, we are hosting this event as a "Drive Thru" event. Participating vehicles will line the road as our visitors enter in via the Kent Street entrance and leave our campus via the Winnebago Street entrance. 

You won’t want to miss out on this spook-tacular free event!!

Things That Go BUMP in the Night  

October 16              7:00PM

Celebrate Halloween with Tinker Swiss Cottage and Haunted Rockford! 

Local authors Terri Reid and Kathi Kresol will join us for this special evening of spine-tingling and bone-chilling stories!      

Terri Reid, best-selling author of the Mary O’Reilly paranormal series and Kathi Kresol, founder of Haunted Rockford Paranormal Events will share their favorite tales of their own paranormal encounters and other local legends. After the presentation, Samantha Hochmann, Executive Director of Tinker Swiss Cottage will share the history of this unique home and a tour will be included in the admission price.
*This event is limited to 20 guests*
Tickets to this event are purchasable through Haunted Rockford's website HERE! 
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!