All That Glitters:
​A Silver Showcase 
August 9,2016 -December 18, 2016

What is more stunning than a table full of silver pieces? 
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Silver pieces can be very simple or exceptionally intricate with their engravings and etchings.

The new exhibit, All That Glitters, showcases the many and varied pieces belonging to the Tinker, Manny and Dorr  families. The Tinker family 
collection boasts silver tea sets, trays, and flatware that are all delicately designed and decorated. Each piece has a  story to tell.

Periodically throughout of the exhibit, staff will be on site during tour times actively working on cleaning the current collection. Feel free to stop by and ask questions you may have about your collections and treasures!

The All That Glitters exhibit will be on display from August 9, 2016 until December 18, 2016. The exhibit will be housed in the Red Room and is a part of the general admission tour. 

Visit the Exhibits page for more details.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Receives $6,000 Grant 


​Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens is proud to announce that is has received a $6,000 grant for The Digitization and Rehousing of the Tinker Collection project. The grant was awarded by the Community Arts & Humanities Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois Community Grants Program. 
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Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum’s current collection houses over 10,000 original objects that are used to interpret the history of the Tinker family and the city of Rockford. Currently, there are a number of objects that remain undocumented. Object documentation within museum collections is essential in the use, management, and preservation of collections. The grant monies from the Community Arts & Humanities Fund will be used to document and catalog these objects using photography and scanned images.
 
Once properly documented and digitally cataloged, these items will be housed in proper archival materials. The act of housing these precious cultural items will not only preserve them for years of research and enjoyment to come, but will help to lessen any environmental risks due to improper storage resources. The digital catalogs of the objects will then be placed in an accessible online database that can be used for research by community members and students worldwide! 

October Paranormal Tours 
Return! 
  Ocober 7th, 14th and 28th   7:00 PM

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. 

These Friday night paranormal tours have become a chance to connect with the Tinkers in a new way! October in the Cottage is also hosts some decorative changes- as the parlor is transformed into a Victorian funeral. Where we ask guest to pay their respects to the departed. 

You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment (cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, emf). Each event begins in the Barn.
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Visit the Paranormal page to purchase tickets! 

Attention Teachers!

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Are you looking for a unique and interactive way for your students to explore their historic past?

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum would love to be a part of your field trip planning!

 The museum complex contains the historic house museum, barn, and carriage house from the Tinker family. In addition, the property is the home of the founding site of Rockford and contains a Pre-Columbian Native American conical mound. 

Topic focused tours include any number of opportunities for the students to help enrich the curriculum, as well as help to meet the current academic standards.
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Visit our School Tours page for more details!
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

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Have questions? Want to check in before you arrive? Ask us here!