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Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, Rockford, IL

Explore Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens, a rare example of Victorian exotic architecture, as part of this group bus tour. Located on a limestone bluff, overlooking Kent Creek in the heart of Rockford, Illinois, Tinker Swiss Cottage was built in 1865 by early Rockford industrialist and Rockford mayor Robert Tinker. Tinker was inspired to build the Cottage after touring Europe in 1862 and falling in love with the architecture of Switzerland. Today Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens preserves, protects and interprets Rockford’s history, heritage and culture. It is marked as a place of historic significance by the Rockford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and has been named one of Illinois’ 150 Great Places by the American Institute of Architects, Illinois Council.

Visiting Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

During your visit to Tinker Cottage explore Rockford’s history, heritage and culture. The history museum complex includes the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum featuring over 10,000 objects within its collection, most of which document Robert Tinker’s life and legacy and the lives of the occupants of the Swiss Cottage as well as beautiful gardens and grounds. Additionally, the site contains a pre-Columbian Native American conical mound. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum also houses the Museum Store, selling items unique to Tinker Swiss Cottage and Rockford.

Tinker Swiss Cottage

The Cottage is one of the few Swiss-style homes remaining in the United States and is adorned with original furnishings, artwork, diaries, clothing and household items that offer a glimpse into Victorian life. Explore all three levels of Tinker Swiss Cottage including the first floor’s public spaces such as the formal parlor, library and dining room. The second floor features private bedroom areas. The exposed lower level houses the office and the root cellar. Notable artifacts within include the carved porcelain lithosphere light fixture in the smoking porch off the dining room and a cabinet of curiosities within the library. Inside Tinker Swiss Cottage you will also find special exhibits that support the history museum’s mission to preserve protect and interpret Rockford’s history, heritage and culture.

Gardens and Grounds

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum boasts themed gardens including the Victorian Rose Garden, Railroad Garden, Iris Garden and the Illinois Prairie Meadow. Tinker’s Victorian Rose Garden was restored to its original 1890 to 1910 appearance in 1998 and now features over 25 heirloom varieties of roses. Stroll along the paths of the Railroad Garden lined with flower beds while enjoying views of Kent Creek, Tinker Lagoon and the Suspension Bridge. West of the Railroad Garden is the Illinois Prairie Meadow, used as a cow pasture during the days Robert Tinker lived at Tinker Swiss Cottage. Three organic vegetable gardens to the west of Tinker Swiss Cottage are the product of Eco-Advocates, a partnership with the Angelic Organic Learning Center and Youth Build.

Pre-Columbian Native American Mound

Also located on the Museum’s grounds is a pre-Columbian conical mound, a round mound typically associated with Native American burials. Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum’s mound has been dated between 1000 and 1300ACE.

Shopping in the Museum Store

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum also houses the Museum Store. Robert Tinker sock dolls, literature including the Journal of Robert H. Tinker, hand-painted ornaments, and Railroad Garden and Willard Dorr prints are available to purchase.

Travel Tip

- Flash photography is prohibited within the Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum.

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