In 1958 the cottage was built by Dr. Joseph and Mrs. Jesse Maggio as a weekend retreat from their busy labour medicine practice in Rochester, New York. The Maggios, who had originally crossed the island on their way to Rice Lake, soon realized that the fishing was excellent and the people were welcoming on the island itself. They became well known and beloved in the community.

The Maggios often used the cottage to entertain family and friends from throughout western New York so they very quickly made additions to the cottage. In the early 1960's the sunroom to the west and the bathroom, laundry and exterior door on the eastern end of the building were constructed.

Dr. Joe and Jessie made the approximately three hour drive to Wolfe Island every Friday afternoon from early May through to late October. Weekends were spent fishing, swimming, hosting friends and neighbours, hunting wild asparagus and barbequing Italian sausages. Jessie was a tireless hostess to all who visited the cottage. Her postive nature and endless optimism defined all her interactions with friend and stranger alike. It was also the basis for her well deserved reputation as the areas finest fisherman. Before the Island Medical Clinic was established the cottage became an informal headquarters for health services as Joe was often the only doctor on the island. Fish hooks were removed, flu shots were administered, babies were delivered, breaks and bruises were tended and wise counsel was offered, all with Dr Joe's limitless generousity and good humour.

After an extended battle with cancer, Joe Maggio died in 1997. With the assistance of family and friends, Jessie continued to come to the cottage intermitently for the next five years. In the fall of 2002, Jessie sold the cottage to neighbours and lifelong friends, in many ways keeping the cottage "in the family."

Ed and Gail began renting the cottage, now "the Willows Cottage," in the spring of 2003. They have made many renovations and improvements to the appearance and functionality of the buildings and dock. Over the intervening years many guests use the Willows Cottage to return to their "island roots," reconnecting and reflecting with old friends and family. Consistent with this purpose, when not rented out to guests the cottage is the playground of Ed and Gail's four children, six grandchildren and extended family. Much like when the cottage belonged to Uncle Joe and Aunt Jessie, family swims and fish frys are the norm, however the Kenneys have added Thankgiving dinners and even cozy Christmas celebrations to the happy history of the Willows Cottage.