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 June 24th for our annual Volunteer Trip.
The Cottage will be closed on July 4th for the holiday.
The Cottage will be closed on July 26-27 for maintenance.
The cottage will be closed on August 30-31 for the holiday weekend.

#You Belong in a Museum

Picture


​


​
​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:

June: All Wednesdays
July: 1st, 15th
August: 6th, 20th
September: All Tuesdays
October: 1st, 15th
November: All Wednesdays
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

Check out our segment from 
Dean on the Streets! 

Upcoming Museum Events

Mysteries at the Museum
Summer Camp
June 17-20  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!
​
Join us June 17-20 from 8am-1pm for a "Mysteries at the Museum" 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.

Speakeasy Murder Mystery
DINNER!
June 27th  6-9:30pm

For the first time ever, Tinker Swiss Cottage is partnering with the Embassy Suites for a special Murder Mystery DINNER! ​

Guests will arrive at the Embassy Suites between 5:45-6:00pm for dinner.

Guests will then drive to the Tinker Swiss Cottage to play the Murder Mystery Games at 7:30pm.

Dust off your flapper dress, zoot suits and Tommy guns and get ready for your Roaring Twenties Murder Mystery Party! At the height of prohibition, morale was high, morals were at an all-time low, and most of the country was controlled by the Mafia. 

At this cozy little hot spot, hidden in the old Tinker mansion, you will find the best night scene around. Drink, dance, sing and mingle with other like-minded individuals but be careful, wherever there is a speakeasy there is always the mafia…and the police. On a night like tonight, with tensions running high, you might get caught in the middle of a bloody dispute. Enjoy your night but keep your guard up, we’d hate to lose any of our clientele!

Tickets are $50 each. Please select your prefered meal at checkout.

Paranormal Investigation w/ Haunted Rockford and
Bartel & Henson Paranormal
July 12th    7-11pm

Join Haunted Rockford after the Illinois Paranormal Conference for a special investigation of Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum. Local investigators, Bartel & Henson Paranormal, will be on site to teach guests how to investigate, but guests are also welcome to bring their own equipment.

The event begins in the Barn.

Illinois Paranormal Conference
July 12th  10am-5pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum & Gardens, Veterans Memorial Hall, and Haunted Rockford Paranormal Events are proud to present the 2025 Illinois Paranormal Conference.
Join speakers and vendors from all aspects of paranormal research. Headline speaker this year will be celebrity Paranormal Researcher and Author Richard Estep. Other speakers will include Larry Eissler III, Filmmaker, Author and Paranormal Researcher from Expedition Entity; AJ Gutierrez, Paranormal Researcher & Founder of the Chicago Haunted Museum; Tobias Wayland, Lead Investigator and Co-Founder of The Singular Fortean Society, and Robyn Davis & Ted Williams of the Haunted Galena Tour Company.

Victorian Life
Summer Camp
July 15-18   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!
​
Join us July 15-18 from 8am-1pm for a "Victorian Life" 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.

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.
​
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!

June Storytime
June 17th  10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Robert Tinker's Downtown
Walking Tour
June 21st  10am

Welcome to Robert Tinker's World! Join Tinker Swiss Cottage as we follow in the footsteps of former Rockford Mayor and Park District Commissioner, Robert Hall Tinker and his family.

​We will see the exterior of many of the homes, businesses, and public buildings that the Tinker family enjoyed visiting while they inhabited the Swiss Cottage. Along the way you will learn to recognize a number of different architectural styles and deepen your knowledge of history regarding the Forest City.

Come see downtown Rockford through the eyes of the Victorians on June 21st from 10-11:30am!

Tours start and end at the Rockford Park District Webbs Norman Center (401 S. Main Street). 

This is an approximately 1.5-mile walking tour with some uneven ground. Please wear appropriate walking shoes to this event. 

PRE-REGISTRATION IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. ​

"Behind the Boxes: Unveiling the Hidden Work of Archives"
​Summer Lecture
​June 22nd  2-4pm

Join Tinker Swiss Cottage's Executive Director, Samantha Hochmann, for an insightful lecture on the museum's behind-the-scenes archival work. 

Step into the unseen world of archives and discover the essentials, intricate, and often invisible work that goes into preserving history. From accessioning and transcriptions to preservation and public access, attendees will gain insight into the critical roles archivists play in shaping, safeguarding, and providing access to the historical record. 

Whether you're a history enthusiast, researcher, student, or curious visitor, this session will deepen your knowledge and appreciation for the hidden work of museums.

July Storytime
July 15th  10:30am

Sign up HERE!

Fairy Tale Tea
July 19th  11:00am-12:30pm

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 Princesses from Characters 2 Life for this special 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, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Schnucks. 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**

"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!
​
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.

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
Entre Computer Solutions
Big Day DJ
Mary Kowing
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!