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 Museum WILL BE CLOSED May 23-26 for the holiday weekend.
The Museum WILL BE CLOSED July 4 for the holiday.

#You Belong in a Museum

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​In 2026, 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!

Remember - Get Your History Fix in 2026! 

Join us for these upcoming free admission dates for IL residents:

April: All Wednesdays
May: 5, 12, 19, 20
June: 3, 10
July: 1, 15
August: 12, 19
September: All Tuesdays
October: 7, 21
November: 4, 11
December: 1, 2, 8, 9
*Please note, IL residents must show proof of residency.

A Brief Overview

Upcoming Museum Events
Click on Event Titles for Tickets

April Storytime
April 14th   10:30am

Sign up HERE!

SOLD OUT!
Paranormal Investigation
w/ Larry & DeEtte
April 18th   7-10pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage for our first Paranormal Investigation of 2026! We will be joined by investigator Larry Eissler III and psychic medium DeEtte. 

This is your chance to find out what a real paranormal investigation is all about! Guests will join staff and guest investigators in the most active locations in the Cottage. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment (cameras, audio recorders, emf). This event will begin in the Barn. 

This event is limited to 12 guests, so get your tickets today! 

Girl Scout "Gardener"
​Junior Badge Workshop
April 25th   9-11am

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum for a gardening adventure designed especially for Junior Girl Scouts working toward their Gardener Badge!

During this two-hour workshop, scouts will explore how gardens are planned and designed, discover how climate affects what we grow, and learn how gardens can serve purpose within and outside our homes.
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This program will ensure the Girl Scouts will complete all of the requirements to earn this badge. However, the museum will NOT provide badges. 

​Please contact the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to receive your badge for completing this workshop. Documentation of proof of completion will be provided to you at the end of the workshop.

"Gardening"
Scouting America
Badge Workshop
April 25th   12-2pm

At our next Scouting America Workshop, Scouts will be introduced to the science, responsibility, and environmental impact of gardening. 

​Scouts will complete 5 out of 8 requirements for this badge. Badges are not provided by the museum.​

Scouts will need to complete the following requirements after they leave the workshop:
  • Requirement No. 2: Grow vegetables and 6 flowers.
  • Requirement No. 4: Test 100 seeds for germination.
  • Requirement No. 8: Complete an approved gardening project. (See Scouting America website for details.)

Small Museums Summer Pass Begins! 
​May 1st

Explore local history all summer long with the Small Museums Summer Pass! 

Your guide to seven unique historic museums filled with stories, artifacts, and discoveries awaits. Visit each location, collect all seven stamps, and experience the rich heritage our community has to offer at your own pace. 

Complete your pass by summer's end to be entered for a chance to win exciting prizes! 

*Each museum has its own pricing and events. Please check out each location's website for more information about your visits.

Rise of the Swiss Cottage
​A D&D Adventure
May 3rd  6-9pm

What begins as a routine stop at a quiet frontier settlement quickly spirals into something far greater when a group of travelers discovers a perplexing relic pulsing with unknown power. 

Now drawn into a conflict larger than themselves, they must decide will they rise as heroes of the galaxy... or be lost among the stars?

** Ideal for experienced players and intrigued newcomers alike, this one-shot adventure features pre-made characters, roleplaying, and numerous surprises. Come and experience an unforgettable evening filled with fantasy, intrigue, and Victorian mischief!

Event Details:
~ Date & Time: Sunday, March 3, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM
~ Location: 411 Kent St. Rockford, IL, 61102. Carriage House (Building closest to the parking lot).
~ Price: $10 per player.
​~ This event is open to new and experienced players. Characters will be pre-made and ready for gameplay. Costumes are encouraged but not required. 

Tickets to this event are limited to only 8 players, so get yours today! 

May Storytime
May 12th  10:30am

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Sign up HERE!

Tipsy History: Echoes & Elixirs
at Greenwood Cemetery
May 15th  7-9pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum staff at the historic Greenwood Cemetery on Friday, May 15th from 7-9pm 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 events. 

This event is sponsored by Fitzgerald Funeral Home. Snacks are provided by The Olympic Tavern.

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

"From Revolution to Rockford: The Tinker & Dorr Families and America's 250-Year Story"
Summer Lecture
May 17th  2-4pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage's Director of Education & Volunteer Management, Dr. Abigail Buchanan, for a captivating journey of the Tinker and Dorr families and their 250-year journey from the frontlines of Connecticut to the heart of Rockford.

When we visualize the American Revolution, we often see the grand tableaus of history; however, revolutions are not fought only on the battlefield. This lecture steps away from the battlefield to explore the grueling daily realities of the 1770s through the eyes of the families who lived through the war. We will explore how the war was not just a military event but a family experience. 

These intimate personal moments tell the story of direct ancestors of Robert Tinker and Mary Dorr Manny Tinker: Amos Tinker III, Nathan Woods Sr., and Matthew Dorr. By examining birth records, militia musters, and post-war migrations, we ground the abstract ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in the lived experiences of real people. 

"Murder Among the Roses"
A Murder Mystery Dinner
June 5th  6-9pm

It's the late-1800s, and you've been invited to an exclusive and lavish garden party at the grand estate of the Tinker Cottage!

Distinguished guests from across the region have gathered to celebrate the blooming of the spring gardens. But just as the festivities begin, a violent storm rolls in, forcing everyone to abandon the gardens and seek shelter inside the mansion.

What was meant to be a charming social affair is about to take a sinister turn... because unfortunately for the happy party goers, no one knows that there is a killer in their midst who plans to strike tonight! 

For one night only, experience the Murder Mystery Game with a custom dinner at the Rooftop Lounge at the Embassy Suites Hotel!

​You will receive dinner and non-alcoholic beverages at the Embassy Suites before arriving at the museum to play the game. 

Dinner from 6-7pm, then drive over to the museum for the game starting at 7:30pm!

Paranormal Investigation w/ Haunted Rockford
June 12th  7-10pm

Join Haunted Rockford for a Paranormal Investigation of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum with special guests, Bartel & Henson Paranormal and the Rockford Ghost Hunters! 

This is your chance to find out what a real paranormal investigation is all about! Guests will join staff and guest investigators in the most active locations in the Cottage. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment (cameras, audio recorders, emf). This event will begin in the Barn. 

June Storytime
June 16th  10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Mysteries at the Museum
​Summer Camp
June 16-19  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! 

At the Mysteries at the Museum Summer Camp, students will learn how to be inquisitive detectives as we learn about history with the help of the great Victorian detective, Sherlock Holmes! 

High Tea at Tinker Cottage
June 27th  11am-12:30pm

You are cordially invited to a High Tea at Tinker Cottage on Saturday, June 27th! 

Join us for a splendid luncheon brimming with exquisite cuisine from Vintage Goose Cafe, captivating conversation, and an enchanting tour of the Tinker Cottage's first floor. 

​*Reservations are REQUIRED*

Summer Lecture
​June 28th  2-4pm

Details coming soon! 

Victorian Life
Summer Camp
July 14-17  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! 

At the Victorian Life Summer Camp, students will experience what life was like for the Victorian family that called the Cottage home! 

Made in Rockford
Summer Camp
August 4-7  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! 

At the Made in Rockford Summer Camp, students will discover what put Rockford on the map, both nationwide and worldwide!

2026 Illinois Paranormal Conference
October 10th  10am-5pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum for a 3-day spooky extravaganza celebrating haunted history, paranormal research, and supernatural storytelling. 

The 2026 Illinois Paranormal Conference takes place on Saturday, October 10th from 10am-5pm. Enjoy a full day of fascinating speakers, vendors, and paranormal exploration. 

Extend the adventure with optional events on Friday night, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning. Whether you're a seasoned investigator or simply intrigued by the unexplained, this immersive weekend offers the perfect chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts and explore the strange and supernatural together. 

Come for the conference... stay for the mysteries that linger after dark.
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!