An insider's guide to a nostalgic tour.

Illustrated with scores of exceptional historic and contemporary photographs, this book describes 40 noteworthy century-old summer cottages and estates.

Muskoka has long been Ontario's most glamorous lake district, the holiday retreat of choice for generations of successful Americans and Canadians. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, industrial moguls from Pittsburgh such as the Mellons, Clemsons, Hillmans, Millers and Donners built or bought cottages here. Their neighbors were famous politicians, scientists, and bankers.

Today, these cottages are cherished not just because of their age and architecture, but because they are rich with stories about their builders, owners, visitors, summer gatherings, excursions, and vintage boats.

Muskoka's cottages and estates are repositories of family history, steeped in tradition and proud reminders of summers well spent.

Liz Lundell

Liz Lundell's profile page

[Muskoka's] grand estates were repositories of family history and proud reminders of summers well spent.

Princeton Times of Trenton

Combines Lundell's research with fantastic black and white photographs of the homes and the people.

The Muskokan

A rare glimpse of the families who bought [the earliest summer homes] as well as the designers and builders.

Globe and Mail

Well-written, handsomely produced... generously illustrated with period and contemporary photographs.

Canadian Book Review Annual

Fascinating stories of over 40 notable century-old summer cottages and estates. Illustrated with scores of historic black and white photographs, the book offers a rare glimpse of the families who bought these exclusive properties, the designers and builders, and a detailed description of the original residences.

Muskoka Magazine