Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

Tinker Swiss Cottage was built in 1865 by industrialist and former Rockford, Illinois Mayor, Robert Tinker. Over the years Robert added a Swiss Barn now used as the Visitor Center, Museum Store and Community Room, and beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds. A suspension bridge, replicating the original suspension bridge built in 1871, was completed in 2005. The bridge crosses Kent Creek and brings visitors to the Railroad Gardens, currently being restored with historically specific plantings.