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 2026, 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!

Remember - Get Your History Fix in 2026! 

Join us for these upcoming free admission dates for IL residents:

January: 6, 7, 13, 14, 21, 27, 28
February: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
March: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
April: All Wednesdays
May: All Tuesdays
June: 3, 10
July: 1, 15
August: 12, 19
September: All Tuesdays
October: 7, 21
November: 4, 11
December: 1, 2, 8, 9

A Brief Overview

Upcoming Museum Events
Click on Event Titles for Tickets

Paranormal Tour & Gallery Reading
February 6th  7-10pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum is kicking off our 2026 Paranormal Nights with a special event: a tour and Gallery Reading! 

This will be the first time the museum has welcomed Psychic Medium DeEtte to perform a Gallery Reading with audience members. You will have the chance to ask questions and watch as DeEtte receives messages from the other side before embarking on a Paranormal Tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage. 

After the tour of the Cottage, you will have a chance to interact with the Tinker family through devices provided by Larry Eissler III. 

This is going to be a spook-tacular night you won't want to miss out on! 

February Storytime
February 10th   10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Backyard Grill & Bar
Percentage Night Fundraiser
February 12th  5-8pm

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Tinker Swiss Cottage at Backyard Grill & Bar! 

From 5-8pm on Thursday, February 12th, 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! 

Dine and Donate at: 
Backyard Grill & Bar
6473 N. 2nd Street
Loves Park, IL 61111

Tinker's Attic Sale
February 21 - 22 
10am-3:30pm

Visit Tinker Swiss Cottage's Barn on February 21-22 from 10am-3pm for a rummage sale! Our volunteers and Board members have donated items to be sold as a fundraiser for the museum, as well as educational pieces that no longer serve our programming. 

*No items from the Tinker/Dorr Family will be deaccessioned or sold. ​

In the Belly of the Beast:
A D&D Adventure
February 22nd  6-9pm

A Festival of Light, a silenced sun, and a darkness that must be endured to reach the spring beyond it. Will you join this quest to weather through the cold, dark nights with peril around each corner to reach the spring ahead?
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** Ideal for experienced players and intrigued newcomers alike, this one-shot adventure features pre-made characters, roleplaying, and numerous surprises. Come and experience an unforgettable evening filled with fantasy, intrigue, and Victorian mischief!
Event Details:
~ Date & Time: Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM
~ Location: 411 Kent St. Rockford, IL, 61102. Carriage House (Building closest to the parking lot).
~ Price: $10 per player.
​~ This event is open to new and experienced players. Characters will be pre-made and ready for gameplay. Costumes are encouraged but not required. 
Tickets to this event are limited to only 8 players, so get yours today! 

Tinker's Ball at Memorial Hall
March 7th  6-9:30pm

Time travel to the Victorian Era on March 7th at: 
       Veterans Memorial Hall
       211 N. Main Street
       Rockford, IL 61101
You are invited to join Tinker Swiss Cottage for a Civil War-themed Ball at Veterans Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 7th from 6-9:30pm! 

Join us for a night of elegance and history as we transport you back to the Victorian Era. Formal or themed attire is strongly recommended to match the occasion. 

Refreshments provided by: The Sons of Union Veterans and Mary Logan Tent Aux.

Dance Callers: Mr. & Mrs. Gary and Karen Alexander of The Historical Timekeepers

Event Sponsors: Veterans Memorial Hall

Tickets: 
       $15 for guests 12 and older
       $8 for guests 6-12 
​       Children 5 and under are free
       *Tickets will not be mailed out. Your name will be put onto a sign-in sheet for the day of the event. 

Doors open at 5:30pm and dancing commences at 6:00pm! ​

March Storytime
March 10th   10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Friday the 13th Paranormal Tour w/ The Paranormal Professor
March 13th  7-10pm

Celebrate Friday the 13th with a Paranormal Tour at Tinker Swiss Cottage MUseum! 

Special guest, Dr. Joel Ramsey, "The Paranormal Professor," will kick off the evening with an engaging presentation showcasing his previous research and investigations across the Midwest. 

After, join the Tinker Team as we travel through the Cottage sharing a bit of darker history and ghostly encounters with our favorite Victorian family! 

Tinker Visions Breakfast Fundraiser
April 11th  9-10am

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum at the Hoffman House on Saturday, April 11th at 9am for our annual Tinker Visions Breakfast Fundraiser! 

Our mission is to preserve and share the Tinker family legacy and to inspire visitors to connect with history. As the founding site of Rockford, we strive to make our local history engaging, tangible, and relevant.  

Donations and proceeds received from this event go towards the continued preservation and operations of the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum. 

RSVPs are mandatory by April 1st. Come enjoy a delicious breakfast and great fellowship all while supporting the museum! 
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum            411 Kent St. Rockford, IL 61102              P: (815)964-2424              [email protected] 
*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!