Tinker Swiss Cottage strives to promote education through many methods including tours, exhibits, workshops, and lectures.
This summer, we hope to offer you lectures that explore different historical and cultural themes.
All lectures will take place in the lower level of the Barn and are open to the public.
This summer, we hope to offer you lectures that explore different historical and cultural themes.
All lectures will take place in the lower level of the Barn and are open to the public.
"Unsolved Crimes of Winnebago County" - Kathi Kresol
August 10, 2019 2:00 pm
Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to continue our Summer Lecture series with local historian and author, Kathi Kresol. Kathi will share some of the stories of the unsolved crimes she has uncovered in her research of Rockford’s History. Kathi has been researching Rockford’s history for over 10 years for Haunted Rockford Tours and her local newspaper column, “Voices from the Grave.” Her first book, Murder and Mayhem in Rockford was published in November 2015.
The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members.
*Space is limited, so reserve today!
Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to continue our Summer Lecture series with local historian and author, Kathi Kresol. Kathi will share some of the stories of the unsolved crimes she has uncovered in her research of Rockford’s History. Kathi has been researching Rockford’s history for over 10 years for Haunted Rockford Tours and her local newspaper column, “Voices from the Grave.” Her first book, Murder and Mayhem in Rockford was published in November 2015.
The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members.
*Space is limited, so reserve today!
"Rockford's Forgotten Driving Park" - Amanda Becker
September 7, 2019 2:00 pm
Tinker Swiss Cottage is excited to close out our Summer Lecture Series with local historian and author Amanda Becker. Local thrill-seekers at the turn of the century knew that all the action was at the Driving Park. But few today know the drama buried beneath a West End subdivision. At the height of the horse racing craze after the Civil War, prominent Rockford businessmen raised $25,000 to build a harness racetrack there in 1890 (the name refers to the person in the cart pulled by a horse--the driver). The versatile venue evolved to stay relevant, weathering the 1893 financial panic and welcoming bicycle mania. Events ranged from high school track meets to early auto racing. Folks saw a soccer game one week and a circus the next. Controversy erupted at times, from gambling and drinking to a murder and a KKK rally. Historian and author Amanda Becker reveals this colorful story nearly forgotten since 1938.
The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members.
*Space is limited, so reserve today!
The cost for this lecture is $10 for non-members and $5 for Tinker members.
*Space is limited, so reserve today!
