Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

09/02/2026

👻 VENDORS WANTED! 👻

Do you have a business, product, service, or collection that belongs in the world of the paranormal, mysterious, unusual, or unexplained?

We’re looking for vendors to join us at the Illinois Paranormal Conference on Saturday, October 10th! 🔮🕯️

This is your chance to connect with paranormal enthusiasts, curious minds, investigators, believers, skeptics, and everyone who loves a good mystery!

We’re looking for vendors featuring things such as:

🔮 Psychic & spiritual services
👻 Paranormal investigation equipment
🕯️ Witchy, mystical & metaphysical goods
📚 Books & authors
🦴 Oddities & curiosities
🎨 Art & handmade creations
👕 Paranormal-themed merchandise
🧿 Crystals, jewelry & unique treasures
…and more!

Have something unusual to sell? We want to hear from you!

📅 Saturday, October 10th
📍 Illinois Paranormal Conference, Rockford, IL
👻 Vendor spaces are limited!

Think your business belongs among the strange and mysterious?

Join us… if you dare. 👀

📩 Contact us for vendor information and registration! Vendor registration ends on September 30th!!

09/02/2026

Happy ! Check out today's blog post to learn more about all the fun coming up this month and next! 🥳

We are kicking off our fall season with so many fun activities coming up! Here’s what’s happening at Tinker Swiss Cottage this month and in the very near future!! 🎉 Join Us for a Tour G…

09/02/2026

September 2, 1910: Rheumatism as bad as ever. Skipd bath – Told Reichenbach to go ahead sheathing Spengler Shop. Park board meet’g at Win N. Bk. Wrote R W Church – Monroe Park Bd

09/01/2026

September 1, 1852: Was almost struck dumb when opening my journal found that it had been neglected for a week what a slack fellow I am. The week when I had the most to write because there was the most done was the week when I had not the time to write. But I will try to say something. Dr. [-] died last night + his funeral will be attended today. The ah-ren-aren-ah say I thought I’d mention it – well I’ll see you again – yes. [Robert does not write in his journal again until 1/1/1853.]

08/31/2026

August 31, 1908: Wife bo’t baby wagon of E Carpenter. Cut down cut leafd birches, leaving stumps. Colored solicitor for dinner

08/31/2026

August 31st marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Jack the Ripper murders in London in 1888. Today’s article takes a brief look at the crimes and victims that the Victorians would have read about.

Pr******te Mary Ann Nichols, the first known victim of London serial killer “Jack the Ripper,” is found murdered and ...

08/30/2026

August 30, 1909: Wickler returned from E trip. Harper’s man quit office work at 11 am to begin cleaning at S Cottage. Snyder Let old furnace out at E. door at 10:30 + quit found old furnace OK. Then in pm established his new down feed in pm. Viola + Wife tried tadpole fishing

08/29/2026

August 29, 1908: Frk Nelson cemented gr. Ho. floor. Met McKee of I.C. who set his men at dam under my supervision. Jack Kennedy died. 2d installment green corn

08/28/2026

August 28, 1862: Took the painting in Exhibition being on hand at 10, when it opened, remaining till 7 when it closed. Dining at 1 of the refreshm’t room annexed. Had large catalogue. Oh, the painting, I am glutted_Purchased 3 articles of carved wood boxes from the Swiss department, smuggled out by a men’s under overcoat

08/27/2026

We’re kicking off a brand new Tinker Topic series: Coffee with the Curator! ☕️

For this series, we’ll be grabbing coffee from some of our favorite local spots and then taking you behind the scenes at Tinker!

This week, we’re talking trophies as we get ready for our upcoming Tinkering Through Time exhibit at Rock Valley College.