Upcoming Museum Closures

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 2022, 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:

August: 10th, 24th
​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

Yoga in the Gardens
August 17       6-7pm

Midweek blues got you feeling tired and sluggish? Come join us for our Yoga in the Gardens Series and get the reset you need to make it through the work week! Our tranquil garden is the perfect setting for this instructor-led Hatha Vinyasa Flow class.

This FREE event is sponsored by: Hard Rock Rockford, Northwest Illinois Building Trades, FehrGraham, Rockford Mass Transit District, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23, IBEW Local 364, City of Rockford, and Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau​

Illinois Paranormal Conference 
August 20    10am-5pm

Haunted Rockford Paranormal Events and Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens are proud to present the 2022 Illinois Paranormal Conference!

Join speakers and vendors from all aspects of Paranormal Research. Speakers will include Dale Kaczmarek, Sylvia Shults, Scott Markus, Society for Anomalous Studies member Cindy Heinen, Anna Lardinois, and Chad Lewis.

​This event will be held at Veterans Memorial Hall. ​

Paranormal Tour w/
Haunted Rockford
September 9      7-10pm

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.

"The French in the Mississippi Valley"
Summer Lecture
September 18   2-4pm

Join us for our final summer lecture of 2022! 

The history of New France in North America and of the people who lived, worked, and explored the land that we know today as the Mississippi River Valley from Minnesota to Louisiana and from the Appalachians to the Rocky Mountains - this was the land of Nouvelle France. 

Presented by Ray Swenson, MA History, retired professor from Rock Valley College, and a Living History lecturer and presenter of American History for the past forty-four years. 

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!

Paranormal Investigation w/ Haunted Rockford
August 20     7-11pm

Did you ever want to see what a real paranormal investigation is all about? This is your chance to find out!

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.
Samantha from Tinker will share the history of the houses and details of the ghostly encounters and then the paranormal team will show you how to operate their equipment. Haunted Rockford’s Kathi Kresol and Tinker Staff will share their personal experiences at this very active location!Tickets are $40 and must be paid in advance.

Tinker Visions in the Garden Fundraiser
September 17    4-6pm

Looking for a fun way to support the museum? Join us for our Tinker Visions in the Gardens fundraiser!

Enjoy an interesting afternoon in our historic Tinker Gardens. The program will be accompanied by free appetizer pizza from Linos and dessert from Nothing Bundt Cakes, with wine and beer available for purchase. There will also be live music by the JB Project, and first floor tours of the beautiful Tinker Swiss Cottage.

Funds raised through this event will ensure the continued care of the Cottage. Tinker Swiss Cottage was built in 1865 near the founding site of Rockford by Robert Tinker and was inhabited by the family until 1942. Today it has been restored to its Victorian Era grandeur and offers daily tours, rentals, and educational programing to the Rockford community.

Tickets are $30 per person or 2 tickets for $50. ​
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!