Upcoming Museum Closures

Tinker Swiss Cottage will be closed on April 19th, 20th, and 21st due to the holiday weekend.
Tinker Swiss Cottage will be closed on May 1st and June 25th. 
Tinker Swiss Cottage may also close during the winter months due to weather conditions.
We apologize for any inconvenience. 

#You Belong in a Museum

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In 2019, 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: Every Wednesday
May: Every Tuesday
June: 5th, 12th, 19th
 
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

Victorian Light Party
​Murder Mystery
May 25th        6:00pm 

Rose is hosting her first Victorian Light party!
The first house in town to have electricity, all of Rockford's elite are in attendance. Known for her flair for over-the-top events, everyone has decided to attend, either out of respect for the hostess, curiosity of electricity, or for the chance to socialize with the upper echelon of Rockford society. 

Unfortunately for the happy party goers, no one knows that there is a killer in their midst who plans to strike tonight!​

"H.H. Holmes: Beyond the Devil in the White City" - John Borowski
​June 9th             2:00pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to kickoff our summer lecture series with John Borowski!

​Explore the darker side of Chicago History with award-winning filmmaker John Borowski as he discusses the history of H.H. Holmes, the
making of his film H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer, and his book The Strange Case of Dr. H.H. Holmes. Borwoski will have copies of his book and DVD for purchase & autographs.
 
Borowski is an award winning independent filmmaker and author whose film works have garnered international acclaim and have been distributed internationally on DVD, television, and streaming. Borowski’s “historical horror” trilogy of documentary films, H.H. Holmes, Albert Fish, and Carl Panzram, focus on late nineteenth and early twentieth century serial killers. His films can be viewed on Amazon Prime.

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 with 
Haunted Rockford and S.A.S.
May 18th                  7:00pm 

Haunted Rockford is excited to be back at Tinker Swiss Cottage, this time with the Society for Anomalous Studies!

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 will begin in the barn.

Samantha from Tinker will share the history of the house and details of the ghostly encounters, and then team members from SAS will show you how to operate their equipment.  Guests may also bring their own equipment to use on the investigation.  Haunted Rockford's Kathi Kresol and Tinker Staff will share their personal experiences at this very active location!

To reserve your place, please call Kathi Kresol: (815)871-4239. Tickets are required for this event, and they sell out fast! 

Paranormal Tour with 
Midwest Ghost Investigators
June 14th       7:00pm 

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to bring back Midwest Ghost Investigators for this night of spook-tacular fun! 

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.
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!