Last updated: 1/29/2010
Rockford, Illinois
Address
411 Kent StRockford, IL 61102
phone: 815-964-2424
fax: 815-964-2466
e-mail: info@tinkercottage.com
web: www.tinkercottage.org

Hours

Nov. 28 - Dec
General Admission Tours at 1, 2 and 3 pm
Jan.& Feb
Tours by Appointment Only
Mar. 1 - Oct 1
General Admission Tours at 1, 2 and 3 pm
Group and Bus Tours Welcome
Administrative hours
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 5 PM

Admissions

Adults/$6
Seniors/$5
Students 5 - 17/$3
Children 4 and under/Free
Members/Free

Museum Type(s)

Staff

Beverly Broyles
phone: 815-964-2424
Donna Langford
phone: 815-964-2424
Steve Litteral
phone: 815-964-2424
Description

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens is currently expanding its vision and is developing a new methodology for interpreting the Victorian Era represented by the buildings and the grounds and illustrated by the Tinker and Dorr families.
In 1943 Tinker Swiss Cottage opened to the public as a Museum. Tours, exhibits, programs and exhibits are offered year round for visitors of all ages.

History

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens is a treasure trove of a time gone by. Rockford, Illinois businessman Robert Hall Tinker built the home in 1865, perching it high on a limestone bluff overlooking Kent Creek. His inspiration came from an 1862 tour of Europe where he fell in love with the architecture of Switzerland. Today the Cottage is one of only a handful of Swiss-style homes remaining in the United States from the 1800s. The Tinker family, the sole occupants of the Swiss Cottage, left their home to the Rockford Park District and their household belongings to trustees after seventy-five years of residence. Filled with original furnishings, artwork, diaries and household items, the Cottage is a rich time capsule of life a century ago.

Educational Programs

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens offers educational programs for audiences of all ages. Schools may arrange tours of the Cottage and hands-on opportunities for students that allow them to explore and use objects that are similar to those seen in the Museum. An Education Packet is available for educators containing pre and post tour activities for students.

Governance

Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization and an affiliate of the Rockford Park District

Library
Access: Members
Appointment required: Yes
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

Lubbock, Texas

2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

Worland, Wyoming

West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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