DUMMERSTON-The Landmark Trust USA is embarking on a $1.25 million project at Rudyard Kipling's Naulakha, the former Dummerston estate of the Nobel Prize-winning author. The property, one of only 18 National Historic Landmarks in Vermont, is owned and managed by the historic preservation nonprofit for overnight vacation rental and small gatherings.
According to a news release, the Naulakha Campaign will preserve the historic property, protect it from the ongoing impacts of climate change, and enhance the public's experience of the unique site.
Naulakha's distinctive cedar roof is an important character-defining feature of the Shingle Style main home and has long provided insulation, historic character, and climate endurance. Last replaced when the organization acquired the property in the early 1990s, the roof has reached the end of its life and will be replaced in-kind with new historically accurate cedar shingles.
Additionally, increasing heavy rains and new runoff patterns in recent years have demonstrated the need for a comprehensive drainage solution for the property that can handle the anticipated increased rainfall from a changing climate. On site work is expected to begin in spring 2026.
The final component of the transformational project will see the opening of The Landmark Trust USA's first new overnight rental property in over a decade. While the Naulakha main house and carriage house have been restored, the original 1896 stable, home to Kipling's horses, Nip and Tuck, has been left largely untouched.
The loft of the large stable will be converted into a studio 1-bed overnight rental unit with sleeping quarters, galley kitchen, and views of the building's unique cupola. The first floor will retain its historic appearance as a horse stable. All work will be done according to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and is anticipated to begin in late spring.
"The Naulakha Campaign represents an historic investment in the future of our flagship property," said Landmark Trust USA Executive Director Susan McMahon. "We're honored to have received so much support already from the National Park Service and others who value this place and its ability to transport visitors to another time. I know guests will love the opportunity to spend the night in the Stable and will rest well knowing the property is secure in the face of a changing climate."
For more details on the project and giving opportunities, visit landmarktrustusa.org/naulakha-campaign.
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