Upcoming Museum Closures

Tinker Swiss Cottage WILL BE CLOSED 7/3-7/4 in observance of the holiday weekend. 
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 2021, 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:

​April: All Wednesdays
May: All Wednesdays
June: 2nd, 9th, 16th
 
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

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!

Summer Lecture Series: 
"Fred Machesney" by Mike Frederiksen 
June 27         2:00pm 

​Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to resume our Summer Lecture Series! Our first lecture of 2021 will be “Fred Machesney” presented by Mike Frederiksen.
 
The name Machesney is very
familiar to those who live in the Northern Illinois region due to the Village of Machesney Park and the Machesney Park Mall. However, before there was a village and a mall, the name Machesney was synonymous with aviation. Join us as we explore Machesney’s life from barnstormer in Kewanee to the closure and conversion of his airport into a mall.
 
Mike Frederiksen graduated from Carleton University with a degree in psychology and history. Mike currently serves as the curator, collections manager, and education director for the Poplar Grove Vintage Wings and Wheels Museum. He is also a board member for the Rockford Historical Society and The Boone County Arts Council. Mike was a co-writer for “Images of America: Belvidere and Boone County,” (Arcadia Publishing, 2014).

Tickets are limited! All events begin in the Barn. Face masks are not required for those vaccinated but are appreciated. For those unvaccinated, masks are still required.​

Tinker Cottage Reopens!!

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum is excited to return to our regularly scheduled tours Tuesday through Sunday at 1PM & 3PM starting April 6th! 

In accordance with Winnebago County Health Department guidelines, we currently have the following restrictions: 
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-Our staff will still wear face masks, and we ask the same from those who have not yet been vaccinated. For those who are fully vaccinated, masks are not required any longer but are appreciated.  
-Staff will continued heightened sanitization of our buildings. 
-Reservations are still appreciated but not required. 
-Tours will be limited to 15 guests per tour. 
-Handwashing and sanitizer stations continue to be available. 

To reserve your tour date and time, you can either call our office at 815-964-2424 or send an email to info@tinkercottage.com! 
​
*Subject to change based on changing mitigation ordinances. 

Summer Solstice with the Psychics & Haunted Rockford
June 19            7:00-11:00pm

Come celebrate the Summer Solstice Haunted Rockford style! Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to partner with Haunted Rockford to bring you this new and exciting event.

Join us for an exciting night with psychics Sara Bowker and Tessa Lentz as we hear some of their most harrowing paranormal encounters, learn smudging techniques with Eve Harker from Luna Datura, then join us for a paranormal tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage!
​
All events begin in the Barn. Face masks are not required for those vaccinated but are appreciated. For those unvaccinated, masks are still required.
​
Tickets are limited! Tickets are $40 and must be paid in advance. You can purchase your tickets 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!