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. 

#You Belong in a Museum

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In 2022, 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:

June: 1st, 15th
 
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

Yoga in the Gardens 
June 22      6-7pm

Midweek blues got you feeling tired and sluggish? Come join us for our Yoga in the Gardens Series and get the reset you need to make it through the work week! Our tranquil garden is the perfect setting for this instructor-led Hatha Vinyasa Flow class.

This FREE event is sponsored by: Hard Rock Rockford, Northwest Illinois Building Trades, FehrGraham, Rockford Mass Transit District, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23, IBEW Local 364, City of Rockford, and Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau​

Native Americans &
The Great Outdoors
​Summer Camp
June 21-24      8am-1pm

This summer make Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum the place for summertime fun for your child! Children will explore overarching historic themes while participating in activities, games, crafts, and other projects.

​Students will learn about the Native American tribes that called the Northern Illinois region home and how nature impacted their way of life. Come prepared to get messy as we dive into history! 

H.H. Holmes: Beyond the Devil in the White City Summer Lecture
​July 10th    2-4pm

Explore the darker side of Chicago history with award-winning filmmaker John Borowski as he discusses the history of H.H. Holmes, the making of his film H.H. Holmes: American's First Serial Killer, and his book, The Strange Case of Dr. H.H. Holmes. Borowski will have copies of his book and DVD for purchase & autographs.

Borowski is an award winning independent filmmaker and author whose film works have garnered international acclaim and have been distributed internationally on DVD, television, and streaming.

Tinkering Around with the Tinkers Summer Camp
July 26-29     8am-1pm

This summer make Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum the place for summertime fun for your child! Children will explore overarching historic themes while participating in activities, games, crafts, and other projects.

​Students will experience what life was like for the Victorian family that called the Cottage home.​

Check out our segment from 
Dean on the Streets! 

Tinker's Shadow
​New Documentary of Tinker Swiss Cottage Now Available!

Looking for a fun way to take Tinker home with you? Director Michael Kleen has put together a wonderful new documentary on Tinker Swiss Cottage, titled Tinker's Shadow: The Hidden History of Tinker Swiss Cottage.

​The documentary is available to purchase through Amazon, or you can get your DVD copy in our gift shop! Proceeds will go towards helping us to maintain the Cottage. 

​*Reminder: Please select "Tinker Swiss Cottage" as the benefactor when you shop at smile.amazon.com

Check out the trailer HERE!
​Watch the documentary HERE!

Reaching Beyond the Veil: Communicating with the Dead Paranormal Tour
June 18      7-10pm

The Summer Solstice is almost here and in order to celebrate, Haunted Rockford is inviting some of our favorite psychics from the area. Haunted Rockford’s own Sara Bowker and guest Tessa Lentz will share some of their favorite encounters with the dead. There will also be a chance for you to share your own close encounters with the spirit world.

Eve Harker from Luna Datura will be along to share her expertise of protecting yourself and your home from unwanted visitors. The price of admission will include a tour of the Tinker Swiss Cottage led by Executive Director Samantha Hochmann who will share her own chilling tales of this very historic (and haunted!) location!
Tickets are $25 and must be paid in advance. 

Yoga in the Gardens 
July 6      6-7pm

Midweek blues got you feeling tired and sluggish? Come join us for our Yoga in the Gardens Series and get the reset you need to make it through the work week! Our tranquil garden is the perfect setting for this instructor-led Hatha Vinyasa Flow class.

This FREE event is sponsored by: Hard Rock Rockford, Northwest Illinois Building Trades, FehrGraham, Rockford Mass Transit District, Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 23, IBEW Local 364, City of Rockford, and Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau​

Paranormal Investigation w/ SAS & Haunted Rockford
July 16     7-11pm

Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to partner with Haunted Rockford to bring our friends from the Society for Anomalous Studies back to Rockford! 

Did you ever want to see what a real paranormal investigation is all about? This is your chance to find out. This event will let you be the paranormal investigator! Guests will be in small groups as you join the staff in the most active locations in the cottage. you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own equipment. All events begin in the barn.
Tickets are $40 and must be paid in advance. 

Made in Rockford
​Summer Camp
August 16-19     8am-1pm

This summer make Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum the place for summertime fun for your child! Children will explore overarching historic themes while participating in activities, games, crafts, and other projects.

​Students will discover what put Rockford on the map, both nationwide and worldwide!​
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

Contact Us

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