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 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:

September: All Tuesdays
October: 6, 13
November: 2, 9, 16
December: 1, 8, 15
 
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

Rockford's Most Haunted Tour
October 30    6-11pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage is honored to be a part of this special event! 

Guests will visit three historical locations in Rockford: Veterans Memorial Hall, Tinker Swiss Cottage, and Graham-Ginestra House.  All of these sites have reported ghostly encounters and paranormal happenings.  The history of these fascinating locations will be shared by the staff of the locations and Kathi Kresol.  Sara Bowker will join us to share her impressions of who might linger in the halls.  We will also have experienced paranormal investigators along who will share their equipment to help capture evidence.
The exciting evening begins and ends at the Veterans Memorial Hall.  Guests will be sorted into smaller groups and given directions for their tour.  The guests will travel on their own to each location.  The history of the houses and the ghostly encounters will be shared at each location.  Then guests will join in a mini-investigation led by the different paranormal investigative teams.  Guests may bring their own equipment or share the investigator’s.  Guests will visit all three locations before returning to the Veterans Memorial Hall for a discussion on the findings.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall

This event will include members of the Society for Anomalous Studies,  Ghost Head Soup and the Ghosthunter Dan Norvell Project.
The event is a fundraiser for the historical locations involved with the event.

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 Tour with The Society for Anomalous Studies
​October 22      7-10pm

With spooky season in full swing, we are ecstatic that The Society of Anomalous Studies will join us for our final Paranormal Tour of October!

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.

Paranormal Investigation with Ghost Head Soup
October 29     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 staff and our friends from Ghost Head Soup in the most active locations in the Cottage. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment (cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, emf). Each event begins in the Barn.
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!