Windermere House, also known as the Lady of the Lake, is one of Muskoka's last grand hotels and one of the oldest landmarks on Lake Rosseau. It was built by Thomas Aitken, one of Windermere's founding settlers, and was operated by the family for more than one hundred years. It has been operated by various owners since then including the Windermere House Corporation, a group formed by Windermere residents and cottagers to preserve and operate the hotel following the financial troubles of one of the hotel's other owners (the Granite Group). The restoration that followed won the Windermere House Corporation and the hotel an award from the Muskoka Heritage Foundation in 1995. On February 27, 1996, the Windermere House burned down during an off-season film shoot and an almost exact replica was constructed in its place at the insistence of local residents, the owners and former guests, and with the help of various organizations including all levels of the Canadian government. It was rebuilt in a vernacular bungalow style with second empire towers and Neoclassical basement windows. It contributes to the District as one of the region's last grand hotels, as an important landmark visible from several vantage points, as a significant contributor to the development of Windermere, for its relationship with the steamboat industry and the postal service, and for its heritage attributes. Original features that survived the 1996 fire include the stone pillars of the verandah, the south and east stone facades of the basement storey forming the Windermere Pub, and the English gardens with mature hollyhock and hydrangeas that surround the property. Other recreated but integral heritage attributes include the verandah; flanking Second Empire towers; south facade dormers; red roof and white facades; three-panelled, arch-transom windows in the south and east facades of the basement storey; double-hung sash windows (four-over-four on the first storey and eight-over-eight on the second); and, the stone wall running along the south and east limits of the property.

Historical Notes:
The building began operations in 1870, when Thomas Aitken began renting rooms in his house, which already functioned as the local post office, to visiting fishermen. He also constructed the town Wharf in 1871, which along with a supply of wood, persuaded steamers to stop in Windermere. In 1872, he added on guest accommodations, and with the help of his wife Mary Trail, he began offering meals and better services. Over time, the original house was renovated, including a sizeable addition in 1883, which included the resort's first tower. The structure continued to expand, including the construction of outbuildings such as a garage, water tower and staff quarters. The resort became known for its luxurious accommodations and served many affluent guests. The hotel remained in the Aitken family until 1987. In 1996, the building burnt down but was rebuilt and re-opened in 1997. Wood siding was replaced with concrete siding, and the ground floor is in non-combustible construction. Notable features include the iconic towers, stone veranda, water tower and outbuildings as well as stonework around grounds. It's sitting on a hill with a large lawn in front makes it an important landmark when approached from the water, reflecting its development as a hotel accessed by rail and steamship. The interior was renovated and re-organized circa 1910. The original plan reflected arrival by steamship, with the front desk just inside the main entrance at the top of the stone steps. The towers played an important role in cooling the building before the structure was rebuilt following the 1996 fire. The port-cochere entrance at the back of the building provided an entrance point for vehicular arrival, once the automobile became the dominant mode of transport to Muskoka.

Source: Windermere Archive
Source: Windermere History Project