Location & Contact:

411 Kent St.
Rockford, IL 61102
815-964-2424

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Description:

A rare example of Victorian exotic architecture, this 1865 Swiss "cottage," was built by early Rockford industrialist and Rockford mayor Robert Tinker. Parquet floors, ornate woodwork, murals, sculptures, spiral staircase, with the family's original furnishings and belongings in place. Visitors' Center has changing exhibits and gift shop in the restored barn. Special events and monthly family activities focus on early Rockford and Victorian traditions. The Museum recently restored the suspension bridge first built across Kent Creek by Robert Tinker in 1870. The bridge connects to the Railroad Gardens once maintained by Tinker and now being restored.
Tours include a new orientation DVD, Tinker with History; and "Hands-On Baskets" containing objects for visitors to touch, including a variety of items of everyday life in the Victorian era such as an early steroscope in the sitting room and ice cream forks in the dining room.
Tinker Swiss Cottage has been 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. This prestigious award is given to places that have been identified by leading architects as contributing to their communities' quality of life.
Cost: $6/adults, $5/seniors, $3/students 5-17, Free/children 4 and under and Tinker Members.
Every Tuesday is Donation Day.


Hours: March 3- Dec. 23: Tue-Sun with guided tours at 1, 2 and 3pm. Closed Monday. No reservation required for groups fewer than 8. Store 1pm-4pm on days museum is open.
Fall & Winter Hours: Call the museum or go to website for hours in January and February.

Hours:

Monday: See Description
Tuesday:
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