Tinker Swiss Cottage Gardens
Tinker's Victorian Rose Garden
The Victorian Rose Garden was restored in 1998 to the way it looked between 1890 to 1910. There are over 25 heirloom varieties of roses in the garden. The garden was recreated with the generous support from the family of former Board Member Jack Baxter.
Tinker's Railroad Garden
The original Railroad Garden was created in 1908 by funds from the Illinois Central Railroad. Passengers would stroll along the paths and flower beds, while enjoying the view of Kent Creek, the Tinker Lagoon, and the Suspension Bridge. The plants from this garden were chosen based on the findings in the Tinker journals, historic photographs of the garden, and research by Tinker's Master Gardener.
The Victorian Rose Garden was restored in 1998 to the way it looked between 1890 to 1910. There are over 25 heirloom varieties of roses in the garden. The garden was recreated with the generous support from the family of former Board Member Jack Baxter.
Tinker's Railroad Garden
The original Railroad Garden was created in 1908 by funds from the Illinois Central Railroad. Passengers would stroll along the paths and flower beds, while enjoying the view of Kent Creek, the Tinker Lagoon, and the Suspension Bridge. The plants from this garden were chosen based on the findings in the Tinker journals, historic photographs of the garden, and research by Tinker's Master Gardener.
The Tinker Iris Garden
The formal Iris Garden is still in development and will honor Jessie Tinker, Robert Tinker's second wife, who hybridized irises and won many gardening awards. Today, the Irises can be found in beds on the east and west side of the path from the parking lot to the Tinker Visitor Center. The gardens were developed by Mike Divent in 2010 and all of the blooms have been matched with a historic description.
Tinker Illinois Prairie Meadow
The Illinois Prairie Meadow is located west of the Tinker Railroad Garden. It was begun in the fall of 2010 with the intention of developing the prairie to the way it appeared in 1834 when Rockford was first founded. The prairie is located on the founding site of Rockford and is the historic site of Germanicus Kent's home. During Robert Tinker's life, this part of the land was used as a cow pasture.
The Gardens west of the Visitor Center
There are three organic vegetable gardens that are the product of "Eco-Advocates", a partnership with Angelic Organic Learning Center and Youth Build. The gardens are designed and maintained by the group who teaches about organic farming and healthy living.
The formal Iris Garden is still in development and will honor Jessie Tinker, Robert Tinker's second wife, who hybridized irises and won many gardening awards. Today, the Irises can be found in beds on the east and west side of the path from the parking lot to the Tinker Visitor Center. The gardens were developed by Mike Divent in 2010 and all of the blooms have been matched with a historic description.
Tinker Illinois Prairie Meadow
The Illinois Prairie Meadow is located west of the Tinker Railroad Garden. It was begun in the fall of 2010 with the intention of developing the prairie to the way it appeared in 1834 when Rockford was first founded. The prairie is located on the founding site of Rockford and is the historic site of Germanicus Kent's home. During Robert Tinker's life, this part of the land was used as a cow pasture.
The Gardens west of the Visitor Center
There are three organic vegetable gardens that are the product of "Eco-Advocates", a partnership with Angelic Organic Learning Center and Youth Build. The gardens are designed and maintained by the group who teaches about organic farming and healthy living.
