Körner's Folly 125th Celebration - April 2, 2005
(Pictures Below - Masquerade Ball!)

Kernersville News - April 5, 2005

On Saturday, April 2, Korner’s Folly began its 125th anniversary celebration with grand opening ceremonies and a day of festivities including a Grand Masquerade/Period Costume Ball.

Korner’s Folly was built in 1880 and was the home of artist and designer Jule Gilmer Korner. Korner’s Folly turned 125 years old on March 26 of this year. In 1880, Jule Korner, threw a grand opening gala for his house which he had named “Korner’s Folly.” The Korner’s Folly Foundation invited the community to join the celebration that lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Folly grounds.

The day featured a “Birthday Party” atmosphere. The Central Carolina Children’s Chorus opened the celebration by singing the “Star Spangled Banner” and Mayor Curtis Swisher delivered the opening address and presented a proclamation for Korner’s Folly. Fifth District Representative Virginia Foxx was on hand to congratulate Kernersville and the Korner’s Folly Foundation for preserving the house and educating people on an important part of the history of Kernersville.

There was a commemorative presentation by Gene Stafford, a local artist, of the artwork, “Vintage Folly,” by Vance Garvin. Garvin painted an original watercolor for the Korner’s Folly Foundation which is being reproduced in 125 prints to be sold at $125 each. The watercolor represents a likeness of the original Folly with historic images superimposed around the central theme. Garvin has received publicity recently for his commissioned work by the Wright Brothers First Flight Anniversary Committee to produce the artwork that represented the “First Flight” anniversary. According to Kevin Bugg, president of the Korner’s Folly Foundation, there were about 400 people in attendance.

A commemorative presentation was given for the Jule Korner descendants and the 27 original members (families and individuals) that bought the Korner’s Folly property in 1970 to preserve and restore the house for the next 25 years under the name Korner’s Folly, Inc. Korner’s Folly volunteers were also recognized. The celebration also featured a ribbon cutting for a gift shop at Korner’s Folly that was opened that day. Among the Korner’s Folly Anniversary Celebration sponsors are: Southern Community Bank, Ciener-Woods Ford and Wolfe and Associates.

The ceremonies on April 2 kicked off a year of celebration that includes many activities and events for the community to celebrate. These events include an old fashion homemade ice cream social in June, “A Walk in Time” community event in October and a Christmas gala in December. In honor of the anniversary celebration, Korner’s Folly will be fully decorated for the Christmas season in Grand Victorian Style from Thanksgiving 2005 through January 8, 2006. For more details visit www.kornersfolly.org. Korner’s Folly is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open to visitors year-round.