Deerhurst Resort: 125 Years of Hospitality in Muskoka – and Counting

Deerhurst Resort: 125 Years of Hospitality in Muskoka – and Counting by Laura Kennedy with Celia Finley and Andrew Hind

The story of Deerhurst Resort is rooted in the story of the Waterhouse family, who shaped its culture of gracious hospitality for three generations. Charles Waterhouse, his son Maurice and grandson Bill each envisioned a path forward for their beloved resort in continuously changing times. Those who have followed continue to be just as inspired by its magnificent setting and the determination to enhance the Muskoka experience for guests and hosts.

The year 2021 marked the 125th anniversary of Deerhurst Resort, one of Ontario’s greatest hospitality success stories. Deerhurst is to be celebrated not only for the tremendous leisure, conference and golf destination it has become, but also because it stands among the few historic Muskoka hotels from the 1800s that have survived and thrived to today.

Deerhurst celebrated its centennial in 1996 with the publication of a resort history book. Now, the updated edition, Deerhurst Resort: 125 Years of Hospitality in Muskoka – and Counting, covers the next quarter century of the resort’s story and is again written by Laura Kennedy, whose [almost 40 year] long career at the resort has given her first- hand perspective on that span of history.

This new edition carries forward the story of Deerhurst’s growth under a succession of owners and management, and highlights memorable milestones, such as being the host venue of the 2010 G8 Summit of world leaders, and the rise to superstardom of one of its stage show cast members, Shania Twain.

ISBN: 978-1-77257-351-0 (PB)