Upcoming Museum Closures

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

#You Belong in a Museum

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In 2019, 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 Tuesdays
October: 2nd, 9th
November: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th
December: 4th, 11th
 
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 Investigation
​September 28           7:00pm

This special event will include different investigation teams in a public investigation of the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and grounds! 

We will be joined by Dale Kaczmarek and his team (the Ghost Research Society) and Ghost Head Soup investigators to investigate the spirits of Tinker!
The evening will begin with a presentation by Dean Thompson from Ghost Head Soup. Dean will share some of his favorite evidence captured during his many years of investigating the paranormal.
Haunted Rockford’s own Kathi Kresol and Samantha Hochmann Director of the Tinker Swiss Cottage will share the history and many ghostly experiences that folks have reported.

After the presentations, we will put the attendees into small groups to have their own experiences in this very active location. This event will allow you to be the investigator as we try out different pieces of equipment and techniques used by the teams. 
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This is a fundraiser for the Tinker Swiss Cottage. Join us for an entertaining and informative evening and help support Tinker Swiss Cottage and Museum.
The price of this event is $40.00 and must be paid in advance. Tickets are available HERE! 
To make other arrangements, please call Kathi at 815-871-4239.
Online Registration closes the day of the event at 1:00 PM; for last-minute registration call Kathi at 815-871-4239.

Paranormal Tour
October 11             7:00PM

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to bring in The Dan Norvell Project for the first time ever to share stories and evidence from their many paranormal investigations of the Rockford region! 

After the lecture, enjoy a tour of the historic Tinker Swiss Cottage 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.

True Tales of Things That Go Bump in the Night
October 18th       7:00PM

Celebrate Halloween with Tinker Swiss Cottage and Haunted Rockford!  Local authors Terri Reid and Kathi Kresol will be joining 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.

The price for this event is be $20.00 and must be paid in advance on the website at www.hauntedrockford.com or by calling Kathi at 815-871-4239.

Both Terri and Kathi will have copies of their books for sale.

Please visit Terri's website: Terri Reid: www.terrireid.com.

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!

8th Annual Illinois Paranormal Conference
September 28
​10:30am-6:00pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage, Veterans Memorial Hall, and Haunted Rockford are proud to present the eighth annual Illinois Paranormal Conference. This event takes place on September 28th from 10:30am-6:00pm at Veterans Memorial Hall (211 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL). 

The Illinois Paranormal Conference includes speakers and vendors from all aspects of the paranormal. For years, the Illinois Paranormal Conference has been one of the premiere Paranormal events in the Northern Illinois-Southern Wisconsin area.

The Conference brings together many people active in all different aspects of the paranormal> Meet and speak to our speakers and vendors! 

You can see the current guest speakers and purchase your tickets HERE! 

Tales of the Unkown Paranormal Tour
October 4                7:00 PM

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to kickoff our October Paranormal season on October 4th! Join author and storyteller Amelia Cotter for an exploration of haunted houses and our relationships with the ghosts that dwell in them. Amelia will share her personal paranormal experiences from some of the Midwest’s most haunted homes and beyond.

After Amelia's lecture, enjoy a tour of the historic Tinker Swiss Cottage 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.

Second Annual Trunk or Treat
October 13            1:00-3:00PM

Calling all monsters, princesses, super heroes, and cartoon characters! Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum as we host our Second Annual Trunk or Treat event!
Enjoy trunk or treating in the historic Tinker Gardens, along with crafts in the Barn and free first floor tours of the Cottage!

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

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"My Life Among Serial Killer Culture: Psychos, Murder, and Filmmaking" - A Lecture by John Borowski
November 9th             2:00PM

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to bring back Award Winning Filmmaker and Author, John Borowski!
 
Borowski has created this brand new lecture as a multimedia and hands on presentation experience as he relates his strange experiences with infamous cases and the killers themselves. Included is the history of some of the world’s most heinous serial killers and how Borowski became interested in making films about their lives.
 
This lecture will take place on Saturday November 9th in the lower level of the Tinker Barn from 2-4pm. Tickets are available through our gift shop and website.
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

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