New roofs for Naulakha Ice House and Summer House

May 19

As part of our $1.25 million Naulakha Campaign, we are replacing the aged cedar roofs on not only the main house but around the National Historic Landmark complex as well. With the guidance of project architects MCWB Architects, preservation roofing firm Alden Bailey recently completed the roof replacements on two of these outbuildings: the Ice House and the Summer House. The Ice House, now used for storage, sits right beside Kipling’s Carriage House, while the gazebo, which the Kipling’s referred to as their “Summer House,” resides at the edge of the trees next to the clay tennis court. During the Kiplings’ time, it was located where the stone pergola is today at the terminus of the Rhododendron Tunnel, both of which were added by the Holbrook family who owned the property after the Kiplings.

The former cedar roofs throughout the estate were installed in the 1990s when Landmark first completed our restoration of the complex and are being replaced one by one in kind with new cedar shingles to ensure many more decades of protection from the elements while maintaining the historic character. November 2026 will see work on the Holbrooks' beautiful pergola roofs. Then in March/April of 2027, Naulakha itself will get a brand new cedar roof. Kipling’s Carriage House and the Naulakha Stable have slate roofs which remain in good condition.

We only have about $6,000 left to raise to meet our Naulakha Campaign goal and bring this roofing project home! Donate today!

Ice House