ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- “The Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum has been awarded a grant of $2,000 by the Jon W. Lundin Historical Preservation Fund of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,” Ashley Downing said Wednesday.

According to Ashley, the grant will be used for the restoration of the Tinker Swiss Cottage south bedroom suite. The bedrooms on the second floor have not received much attention since the Cottage became a museum, other than being wallpapered in the 1940-1950s. This grant will allow Graphic Conservation Co. the opportunity to come out and examine the historic wallpaper that is sealed under the 1940 floral pattern and find the best way to restore the look of the room to what it appeared like during the Tinker era.

“Our agency has restored numerous parts of the interior and exterior of the Cottage over the years, in addition to many of the original Tinker artifacts,” Ashley Downing said. “This grant from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois will give us additional resources to continue to improve the authenticity of the Cottage and we will finally have the chance to tackle the last interior restoration projects.”

Graphic Conservation will be at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum on February 20 to examine the wallpaper and reveal a letter from Robert Tinker to his wife Mary Tinker that they just finished restoring. Ashley stated that at 1 and 3pm, the public will have the chance to see the letter, past work by Graphic Conservation, and have the opportunity to meet with the team as they work.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum was founded in 1942 and has served the Winnebago and surrounding areas through education, outreach, and events. Ruth Little is the President of the Board of Trustees.

The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois is the area’s largest provider of grants and scholarships. Its mission is to attract, grow, and preserve an endowment for the needs of the people of Northern Illinois.