DUMMERSTON — Famed British author Rudyard Kipling’s historic 1892 home Naulakha was open to the public for its annual Rhododendron Tour this past weekend.

Normally open only to guests renting the properties for overnight accommodation or small group gatherings, Naulakha, its Carriage House and expansive grounds are opened up for one weekend each spring by the historic nonprofit foundation Landmark Trust USA.

Naulakha served as home to the Kiplings from 1892-1896. It was later owned by the Cabot/Holbrook family for nearly a century before being opened to the public by Landmark Trust in the 1990s.

Visitors had the opportunity to take a self-guided tour to learn about the property’s history and architecture, sit at the desk where “The Jungle Book” and other classics were written, wander the Rhododendron Tunnel, and enjoy the grounds.

This year’s event was especially significant, as the organization is in the midst of raising funds for the Naulakha Campaign, which will replace the main house’s aging cedar roof, develop a comprehensive drainage solution for the property, and rehabilitate the Naulakha Stable into a new overnight rental.

For more information about the Naulakha Campaign, or about renting one of the properties, go to landmarktrustusa.org/