All That Glitters: A Silver Showcase August 9,2016 - December 18, 2016
What is more stunning than a table full of silver pieces?
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.
The collection also showcases the many trophies and medals awarded to the Manny Reaper Mower. Various aspects of silver will be explored in this exhibit, including silver fabrication and decorative techniques, and the social role of silver objects in Victorian America.
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. Please visit during our tour times Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
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.
The collection also showcases the many trophies and medals awarded to the Manny Reaper Mower. Various aspects of silver will be explored in this exhibit, including silver fabrication and decorative techniques, and the social role of silver objects in Victorian America.
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. Please visit during our tour times Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Tinker's Cabinet of Curiosities February 2,2016 - June 30, 2016
What is a cabinet of curiosity anyway?
From the Renaissance to the 19th century, the cabinet of curiosities showcased the hobby that was collecting. Collecting for leisure, education or just for pleasure these cabinets gave a glimpse into the minds of their creators. Often times, they resembled an accidental accumulation of natural-history specimens and other bizarre objects. During the Victorian era, people who were interested in science and the natural world would have a 'cabinet of curiosities' in their homes. These cabinets could either be a was physical a piece of furniture—like a bookcase or shelf, or they may just be a simple box. They were often filled with many small drawers or stacking trays.
The 'curiosities' stored in the cabinets were any sort of natural specimens: seashells, fossils, mineral specimens, preserved animals, pinned insects, or even cultural objects like tools or clothes, from all over the world. Robert Tinker has such a cabinet. It resides in the upper left corner cabinet in the Library. Guests are not allowed to truly view the wonderful objects inside, due to the low balcony on the second floor of the library. Therefore, we have decided to open the cabinet and display all the wonders it holds!
The Tinker’s Cabinet of Curiosities exhibit will be on display from February 2, 2016 until June 30, 2016. The exhibit will be housed in the Red Room and is a part of the general admission tour. Please visit during our tour times Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00PM and 3:00 PM.
From the Renaissance to the 19th century, the cabinet of curiosities showcased the hobby that was collecting. Collecting for leisure, education or just for pleasure these cabinets gave a glimpse into the minds of their creators. Often times, they resembled an accidental accumulation of natural-history specimens and other bizarre objects. During the Victorian era, people who were interested in science and the natural world would have a 'cabinet of curiosities' in their homes. These cabinets could either be a was physical a piece of furniture—like a bookcase or shelf, or they may just be a simple box. They were often filled with many small drawers or stacking trays.
The 'curiosities' stored in the cabinets were any sort of natural specimens: seashells, fossils, mineral specimens, preserved animals, pinned insects, or even cultural objects like tools or clothes, from all over the world. Robert Tinker has such a cabinet. It resides in the upper left corner cabinet in the Library. Guests are not allowed to truly view the wonderful objects inside, due to the low balcony on the second floor of the library. Therefore, we have decided to open the cabinet and display all the wonders it holds!
The Tinker’s Cabinet of Curiosities exhibit will be on display from February 2, 2016 until June 30, 2016. The exhibit will be housed in the Red Room and is a part of the general admission tour. Please visit during our tour times Tuesday through Sunday at 1:00PM and 3:00 PM.
Past Exhibits
150th Celebration Year
A Change Through Time: A Photographic Exhibit of the Tinker Cottage February 3- July 5, 2015
Caring for the Community: The Tinkers in Rockford August 15- December 20, 2015
The Traveling Tinkers
The European Expedition: January 18-April 13, 2014
Feel the Life of Hawaii: May 11- December 13, 2014
Babbles and Baubles
Hats of the Past: January 12- March 17, 2013
Fancy Fans: March 30-June 16, 2013
Victorian Babbles and Baubles: June 29- September 15, 2013
The Dapper Gentlemen: September 28-December 15, 2013
The Year of the Book
The Tinker Dairies: March 3- April 29, 2012
Tinker Rare Books: May 5- July 9, 2012
The Audubon Experience: July 19- August 26, 2012
What Makes a Tinker: September 29-November 25, 2012
150th Celebration Year
A Change Through Time: A Photographic Exhibit of the Tinker Cottage February 3- July 5, 2015
Caring for the Community: The Tinkers in Rockford August 15- December 20, 2015
The Traveling Tinkers
The European Expedition: January 18-April 13, 2014
Feel the Life of Hawaii: May 11- December 13, 2014
Babbles and Baubles
Hats of the Past: January 12- March 17, 2013
Fancy Fans: March 30-June 16, 2013
Victorian Babbles and Baubles: June 29- September 15, 2013
The Dapper Gentlemen: September 28-December 15, 2013
The Year of the Book
The Tinker Dairies: March 3- April 29, 2012
Tinker Rare Books: May 5- July 9, 2012
The Audubon Experience: July 19- August 26, 2012
What Makes a Tinker: September 29-November 25, 2012
