Volunteers make it happen at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum !

Upcoming Events
August 28th: Volunteer Meeting @ 10am in Carriage House
​September 25th: Volunteer Meeting @ 10am in Carriage House
​October 23rd: Volunteer Meeting @ 10am in Private Location
November 27th: : Volunteer Meeting @ 10am in Carriage House
December 11th: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

Garden Work Day
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday from April-October.
Tinker Garden Volunteers will work with our Lead Gardener to help beautify the Tinker grounds.
Volunteer Opportunities
  • Docent: Conduct tours of the historic Tinker Swiss Cottage.
  • Cashier: Welcome visitors. Oversee admission fees and museum store purchases.
  • Special Events: Help with set up, welcome visitors, serve refreshments, or clean up following the event.
  • Gardener: Help maintain the Victorian Rose Garden and other flowerbeds at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum
  • Jr. Volunteer (ages 15-18): Opportunities to be trained as a docent, special events, gardening, or in educational programming.

Advantages of being a Volunteer at
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

  • Work in an interesting historical setting
  • Flexible schedules
  • Free membership (including Time Travelers)
  • No prior experience required
  • Regular volunteer meetings
  • Field trips and outings to historic sites
  • Discounted events and gift shop purchases
  • Recognition at volunteer events
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Experience for resume/college application
  • Gratitude of museum guests and museum staff!

Megan Thorndike
2017 Volunteer of the Year

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Megan is one of our most recent volunteers, joining our team after moving to Rockford in June.

​Megan wanted to make a difference in her new community, so she signed up to be a cashier in our Museum Gift Shop. She quickly jumped into volunteering as both a cashier and a docent, giving tours of the Cottage two days a week. 

​In the short six months she has been with us, Megan has accumulated 128 volunteering hours! We are very thankful to have her join our fantastic group of volunteers.

    Volunteer Application