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 Cottage will be closed on July 26-27 for maintenance.
The Cottage will be closed on August 30-31 for the holiday weekend.
The Cottage will be closed for the month of November due to the Barn's roof replacement.

#You Belong in a Museum

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​In 2025, 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 for IL residents:

July: 1st, 15th
August: 6th, 20th
September: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
October: 1st, 15th
November: Museum Closed
December: 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th
 
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

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. 

A Brief Overview

Upcoming Museum Events

Aloha Ohana Gala: Celebrating Local History & Heritage

August 21st  6:00pm

You're invited to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum's Aloha Ohana Gala: Celebrating Local History & Heritage event on Thursday, August 21st! 

Through a blending of the warmth of Hawaiian culture with the historical charm of our museum, this event will be an unforgettable evening of elegance, entertainment, and community spirit. 

Proceeds from this event will directly benefit the restoration and programming of the museum, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and learn from this unique piece of Rockford's heritage. 

RSVP by August 15th!

​Tickets are $75 per person or $550 per table. Please select your dinner choice upon checkout. 

The Gala will take place at the Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront at 416 S. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61101. Doors open at 5:30pm and the event begins at 6pm. 

Thank you to our sponsors: 
Aetna Building Solutions
Associated Advisors Group
Abby Pest Elimination
​Alpha Controls & Services LLC
Entre Computer Solutions
Big Day DJ
Mary Kowing

Ice Cream Social 
160th Anniversary Celebration! 
July 20th     2-4pm

Come celebrate 160 years of history, community, and heritage at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum!

Join us on Sunday, July 20th from 2-4pm as we celebrate with live music from Trinadora, free first floor tours of the Cottage, and family-friendly games, activities, and more! All food and beverages will need to be purchased from one of the food trucks on site.
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A heartfelt thank you to all our amazing food vendors and community partners for making this celebration possible, especially our event sponsor Garcea Technologies! 

August Storytime
August 5th   10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Tour of Volunteerism
August 9th  10am

Join us for a chance to learn, tour and become a volunteer for three of Rockford’s historic house museums!

On Saturday, August 9th from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, please join the Heritage Museum Park, Swedish Historical Society, and Tinker Swiss Cottage for an opportunity to learn and explore three of Rockford’s historic house museums.
This will be an introduction to the Graham-Ginestra House, the Erlander Home Museum and Tinker Swiss Cottage.

Join current volunteers and staff of each location as we tour each facility and learn how to volunteer with each location! The tour begins at the Heritage Museum Park, as both the Ethnic Heritage Museum and Graham-Ginestra Home will be toured. Then it is a quick drive over to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum for a brief tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage. The final stop is at the Erlander Home Museum with a wrap-up presentation in the Nordic Cultural Center.

This information packed day is a chance to explore, ask questions and find out how you can help volunteer and support the organizations that share parts of Rockford’s historic past!

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to [email protected] or [email protected].
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For more information on each of these locations, please visit:
www.swedishhistorical.org
www.tinkercottage.com
www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org

There and Back Again: A Tinker's Tale
Summer Lecture
September 7th  2-4pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage's Director of Education & Volunteer Management, Dr. Abigail Buchanan, for a captivating journey through time as we follow Robert Tinker, an adventurous young man from Rockford, IL, on his remarkable 9-month European vacation from 1862-1863. Drawing from journals, letters, and historical context, this presentation offers a glimpse into the landscapes, cultures, and personal reflections that shaped Tinker's transformative travels. 

From the bustling streets of London to the serene canals of Venice to the Alps of Switzerland, this lecture explores how his experiences abroad would later influence the design of his iconic home - the Tinker Swiss Cottage - and his vision for life back in Rockford. 

Step into the shoes of a 19th-century traveler and discover the world through Rober Tinker's eyes. ​

"So, You Think You're a Rockford Historian? Part III"
Summer Lecture 
August 3rd   2-4pm

Join local historian and author, Amanda Becker, for a brand-new lecture on Rockford's history! This gameshow-styled presentation will test your Rockford trivia knowledge using a variety of historical photographs. 

This is a group discussion more than a lecture as everyone shares their knowledge and experiences. Participants do not have to have attended the previous sessions to attend this presentation. ​

Made in Rockford
Summer Camp
August 5-8   8am-1pm

Ready for a summer adventure that's off the beaten path? Step back in time with Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum! Kiddos will soak up history while getting hands on with activities, crafts, games, and more!
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Join us August 5-8 from 8am-1pm for a "Made in Rockford" Summer Camp!

Registration is $80 for members, $100 for non-members.

Please include your child's name and t-shirt size at checkout.

You will also need to send a snack and lunch with your child. Water bottles will be provided for students.

September Storytime
September 9th   10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Tipsy History: The Last Call
Cemetery Crawl
at Greenwood Cemetery
September 19th  6-8pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum staff at the historic Greenwood Cemetery on Friday, September 19th from 6-8pm as we dive into crazy stories from our local history! 

Participants will receive 3 drink tickets for this two-hour, 21+ event. A walk through of the historic Greenwood Cemetery Chapel will be included. The stories shared will NOT be the same program as our previous two events. 

Tickets: $50 per person

Photo IDs are required at the door.

This event is sponsored by Fitzgerald Funeral Home. 

*Proceeds from this event will go to Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Greenwood Cemetery Association to assist with historic upkeep, operations, and renovations. ​

Spooky Tea Party
September 27th  11am

Calling all princesses, princes, and creatures of all kinds!
Are you looking for an afternoon fit for the whole family?
Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to welcome Villains from Characters 2 Life for this special Spooky Victorian Tea Party! This 3-course lunch will be followed by a first-floor tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage. 

This event is sponsored by Characters 2 Life. Be sure to join in the fun of this special family-friendly event! 

Tickets to this event are limited, so get yours today! 

**Reservations are REQUIRED**

​Tickets coming soon!

SOLD OUT!
Paranormal Investigation w/ Chris Fleming
September 26th  7:30pm

Join international paranormal celebrity Chris Fleming for this one-night-only exclusive paranormal investigation! 

The event begins at 7:30pm. You are welcome to bring your own equipment (within our investigation guidelines), and a local investigative team will also be on site with their equipment for you to use. 
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!