Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens TSCMG preserves & shares the legacy of the Tinker family & inspires visitors to connect with history.
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"I only wanted to build a home that would give Rockford a name" Robert H. Tinker

Robert Tinker's inspiration for the Cottage came during his tour of Europe in 1862, where he fell in love with the architecture of Switzerland. In 1865, Robert began building his Swiss Cottage on the limestone bluff overlooking Kent Creek. Robert surrounded his Swiss Cottage with over 27 acres of trees, vines, windin

g pathways, flowerbeds, and gardens. A three-story Swiss inspired barn was added to the property which housed cows, chickens, and horses. On the side of the Cottage, Robert constructed a suspension bridge crossing the Kent Creek. This bridge linked the Cottage with his wife's, Mary Dorr Manny Tinker, limestone mansion and grounds. In 1906, the railroad bought the remainder of Mary's estate. At the end of Robert's suspension bridge, he planted elaborate gardens deemed the Railroad Gardens where passengers could stroll as they waited for the train.

Check out today's post to learn more about all the summer fun happening at the museum! 🥳
06/03/2026

Check out today's post to learn more about all the summer fun happening at the museum! 🥳

We hope you’re having a great start to your summer! We have been busy bees around the museum lately. 🐝 Have you heard that this year is America’s 250th anniversary? We are thrilled…

06/03/2026

June 3, 1852: Such side walks as Dunkirk City had, are not to be sneezed at, but coughed + spit at

06/02/2026

June 2, 1852: We went to the harbor, took a small ride in a skiff, and marking the signs of an approaching storm, we put our boat ashore, + got home just in time to see an Irish dance, carried on by the man + maid servant and all their relations

06/01/2026

June 1, 1852: The first day of summer. Was a beautiful day, warm in the forenoon, and a good refreshing shower in the afternoon which caused the trees + shrubs to smile out loud. Little Robert for a variety laid him down for the night on the lounge in the study, sleep was soon resting on his eyelids through the lattice the round moon shone plump in the face of the sleeping beauty

05/31/2026

May 31, 1912: Took Electric car fresh from charging at Joslyn’s + ran it alone from S + L garage to F. Smith + back in am. In pm over M. bridge to bath room + back over C. bridge – Wife hunting moths and dispensing oil paintings. No improvement in lame thighs after sitting

05/30/2026

May 30, 1883: Decoration Day. Began to rain before 7 + kept it up till noon. Exercises at Cemetery in pm. Trying to find the strays that robbed me

05/29/2026

May 29, 1895: Sent wild flower to Marcia

05/28/2026

May 28, 1919: Ted joined Boy Scouts – and leaving to swim – Wish he could learn to obey his mother

05/28/2026

Today's (5/28) 1pm Tour is SOLD OUT! There is still plenty of room for our 3pm tour this afternoon. 🏛

05/27/2026

May 27, 1888: Reached Chicago 8 am found Wife + Marcia at Palmer Ho. Dr. Thomas in noon = Memorial GAR in eve

Address

411 Kent Street
Rockford, IL
61102

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday 1pm - 4:30pm
Thursday 1pm - 4:30pm
Friday 1pm - 4:30pm
Saturday 1pm - 4:30pm
Sunday 1pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+18159642424

Website

http://tinkercottagemuseum.wordpress.com/, https://twitter.com/Tinker_Cottage, https://in

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