VISIT

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum 411 Kent St. Rockford, IL 61102 P: (815)964-2424 [email protected]

*Due to the nature of the museum and the display of its artifacts, guided tours are required for entrance into the museum. Guided tours are approximately 60- 90 minutes long and are a completely walking tour.

Admission and Guidelines

General Admission Rates
Adult $10.00
Senior (65+) $9.00
Children (6-17 yrs) $5.00
Children 5 and under Free
Tinker Members Free

Please observe the following while touring the museum:

For the comfort of our guests, all of the buildings are climate controlled.
No food or drinks are permitted
No flash photography
Handling the artifacts is prohibited
Sitting on the furniture is prohibited
Strollers are not permitted
Animals are not permitted inside the buildings*
- *with the exception of service animals

Group Tours

Groups of 8 or more must contact the museum at 815-964-2424 or [email protected] for available dates and times.
Please allow at least two weeks when scheduling a group tour.

Museum Closure Dates

New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. In the winter months, the museum may close unexpectedly due to weather.

Donation Day

Annual Donation Days
Museum entry is free for all Illinois residents who show valid proof of residency on these scheduled dates. Spaces are limited to 15 people per tour. Reserved school and group tours do not qualify for the Donation Day discount.

2026 IL Resident Donation Days:

January: 6, 7, 13, 14, 21, 27, 28
February: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
March: All Tuesdays & Wednesdays
April: All Wednesdays
May: 5, 12, 19, 20
June: 3, 10
July: 1, 15
August: 12, 19
September: All Tuesdays
October: 7, 21
November: 4, 11
December: 1, 2, 8, 9

Accessibility

Due to the nature of the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, accessibility is limited. There are no ramps leading into the museum nor elevators inside the museum.

The Barn, where all tours begin, is wheel chair accessible. A standard sized wheelchair is available free of charge. Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers may be dropped off at the Barn, with free handicapped parking nearby.

For those requiring assistance with hearing, vision, or other disabilities, you must contact the Museum no less than 48 hours in advance for suitable accommodations in programs, activities, and services.

Partner Programs

Time Travelers is a free reciprocal membership network for historical sites and museums throughout the United States. Currently, the Time Travelers program includes over 250 organizations in more than 40 states across the country.

Blue Star Museums provide free access to the institution for active-duty military personnel and their immediate families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

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Office Hours:
Tuesday 9am-5pm
Wednesday 9am-5pm
Thursday 9am-5pm
Friday 9am-5pm

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