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That group, in turn, with the assistance of Preservation North Carolina placed the home in the hands of the Körner’s Folly Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation) in December, 1995. After meeting several conditions the Körner's Folly Foundation received the deed back from Preservation North Carolina during the winter of 2000. The Foundation will continue to make repairs and restore the historic structure to its former elegance and beauty. Establishing a non-profit group enabled the new Foundation to accept tax-deductible gifts from individuals and businesses, as well as pursue grants from private and government organizations to help save the landmark home. Though the building is threatened by age and environment, the Foundation has already raised funds for basic needs and assured that the structure is protected until major renovation work can be funded and completed. Studies of the building’s needs, from underlying water problems to external and internal repair and renovation, have been conducted recently. Some actions have already been taken, but the work has only just begun. The public is being asked to come to the rescue of Jule Körner’s amazing, delightful home and showplace. Tax-deductible donations to the Folly Foundation can help lay the necessary groundwork to save the Folly from the ravages of time–and ultimately, to return it to a sparkling representation of a time gone by. |
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Jule Körner died in 1924 and his wife, Polly, followed 10 years later.
The house was never lived in again as a full-time family home but has seen
many uses through the years – from the family summer home to being open
prior to World War II for tours, to a funeral home, an antique shop and an
architect’s office/residence. It remained in the hands of son and
daughter, J. Gilmer, Jr. and Dore until 1970, when it was sold to a group
of 26 family and friends under the name of Körner’s Folly, Inc. This group
became the caretakers of the Folly for the next 25 years.