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.

The museum WILL BE CLOSED January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

#You Belong in a Museum

Picture


​


​
​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

SOLD OUT!!
​Speakeasy Murder Mystery
DINNER
January 16th  5-9pm

For one night only, experience the Murder Mystery Game with a custom dinner at the Rooftop Lounge at the Embassy Suites Hotel!

​For January 16th, you will receive dinner and non-alcoholic beverages at the Embassy Suites before arriving at the museum to play the game. 

Dinner from 6-7pm, then drive over to the museum for the game starting at 7:30pm!

Dust off your flapper dress, zoot suits and Tommy guns and get ready for your Roaring Twenties Murder Mystery Party! At the height of prohibition, morale was high, morals were at an all-time low, and most of the country was controlled by the Mafia. 

At this cozy little hot spot, hidden in the old Tinker mansion, you will find the best night scene around. Drink, dance, sing and mingle with other like-minded individuals but be careful, wherever there is a speakeasy there is always the mafia…and the police. On a night like tonight, with tensions running high, you might get caught in the middle of a bloody dispute. Enjoy your night but keep your guard up, we’d hate to lose any of our clientele!

Winter Tea Party
January 31st  11am

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum as we welcome the Winter Princesses from Characters 2 Life for this special Victorian Tea Party! This 3-course lunch will be followed by a tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage, decorated for the holiday season.

*Please alert the museum a minimum of 1 week prior to the event if you have a food allergy. 

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! 

"Craft & Tinker"
Brownie Badge Workshop
February 7th  10am

Details are coming soon!

"Architecture" 
Scouting America Badge Workshop
February 7th  2pm

At our next Scouting America Workshop, Scouts will learn about classic 19th century Victorian designs, including the architecture featured at Tinker Swiss Cottage. Topics include: introduction to Victorian-era, classic architecture features, sustainability and conservation, and careers in architecture. 

Pre-registration is required. All Scouts must have an adult with them. 

​Scouts will complete 4 out of 5 requirements for this badge. Badges are not provided by the museum.​

The museum does NOT provide badges or submit documentation for badges. 

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?
​
** 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!

Paranormal Tour
March 13th  7-10pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage on Friday the 13th for our next Paranormal Tour! 

​More details coming soon!
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!