Upcoming Museum Closures

​The museum WILL BE CLOSED November 5 for Election Day.
​The museum WILL BE CLOSED November 12 in observance of Veterans Day.
​The museum WILL BE CLOSED November 28 - December 1 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
​The museum WILL BE CLOSED December 24-January 1 for the winter holidays.
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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 2024, 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:

October: 9th, 16th 
November: 6th, 13th
December: 3rd, 17th
 
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! 

New Museum Merch!
Visit the Online Gift Shop

Support Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum by purchasing an "80th Anniversary" or "Spooky Season" sweatshirt or "80th Anniversary" t-shirt HERE! 

Sweatshirts are $42 each. T-shirts are $15 each. Tax will be added at checkout. There is no shipping option and pick up is in the Barn Gift Shop. You must include your name and phone number when placing your order online. 

Upcoming Museum Events

Storytime at Tinker Cottage!
October 8th  10:30am

Sign up HERE!

True Tales of Things That Go Bump in the Night - Paranormal Tour w/ Kathi Kresol & Terri Reid
October 18th  7-10pm

Celebrate Halloween with Tinker Swiss Cottage and Haunted Rockford!

Local authors Terri Reid and Kathi Kresol will be joining us for this special evening of spine-tingling and bone-chilling stories!

Terri Reid, best-selling author of the Mary O’Reilly paranormal series and Kathi Kresol, founder of Haunted Rockford Paranormal Events, will share their favorite tales of their own paranormal encounters and other local legends. After the presentation, Samantha Hochmann, Executive Director of Tinker Swiss Cottage will share the history of this unique home, and a tour will be included in the admission price.
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Both Terri and Kathi will have copies of their books for sale. This event begins in the Barn. 

Rockford's Most Haunted Paranormal Investigation w/ Haunted Rockford
October 26th  6-11pm

Haunted Rockford is honored to be a part of this special event! We will be visiting three historical locations in Rockford: Veterans Memorial Hall, Tinker Swiss Cottage and The 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 who will share their equipment to help capture evidence.
Proceeds will be donated to the organizations involved.

Warm Cookie Fundraiser
November 8th  -pm

Order any item from the “Warm Cookie Bake” menu and 20% of your entire order will come back to the museum!
 
No reservations are required - simply walk-in or place your order online! Pick-up and delivery options are available! You can begin ordering on Saturday, November 2nd!
 
Quixotic Bakery
116 N. Madison St.
Rockford, IL 61107

Paranormal Tour w/
​Chad Lewis
November 22nd  7-10pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to welcome back international author & researcher, Chad Lewis! 

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.

Storytime at Tinker Cottage!
December 10th  10:30am

Sign up HERE!

A Victorian Christmas Murder Mystery Game Night
December 14th  6-8pm

The halls are decked, and Rose is hosting her first Victorian Light party!
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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!

*Please note: This is an interactive game where YOU are the characters! No dinner will be served. 

Paranormal Tour w/ Ghost Research Society
October 11th  7-10pm

We are so excited to kick off spooky season with the world-renowned Dale Kaczmarek & The Ghost Research Society!

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.

SOLD OUT!!
​Paranormal Investigation w/ Midwest Ghost Investigators
October 25th  7-11pm

Did you ever want to see what a real paranormal investigation is all about? This is your chance to find out! 

Join Midwest Ghost Investigators as they guide you through Ghost Hunting 101! This exciting event will let you be the paranormal investigator! Guests will be in small groups as you join the staff 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.

"Archaeology" Merit Badge
BSA Workshop
November 16th  10am-12pm

Understand how cultures evolve and investigate the past using clues our ancestors left behind with the Archeology Merit Badge. Scouts will learn about five archaeological sites in and outside the United States and give a short presentation about their findings to a Cub Scout pack, Scout troop, or peers in their classrooms.
 
Scouts will complete all 7 requirements for this badge. Badges are not provided by the museum. 

Storytime at Tinker Cottage!
November 19th  10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Cookies w/ the Grouch
December 7th  11am-12pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage as we welcome The Grouch for
​holiday cookie fun!

Ghosts of Christmas Past 
Paranormal Tour w/ Haunted Rockford
December 7th  7-10pm

Join us for spooky holiday tales from the Haunted Rockford crew, followed by 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 w/ Haunted Rockford
December 13th  7-11pm

Celebrate Friday the 13th Haunted Rockford style! 

​Did you ever want to see what a real paranormal investigation is all about? This is your chance to find out! 

Join TWO teams as we investigate the historic Tinker Swiss Cottage. We will be joined by Midwest Ghost Investigators and Bartel & Henson Paranormal for the last paranormal event of 2024. 

This exciting event will let you be the paranormal investigator! Guests will be in small groups as you join the staff 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              [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!