Folly News & Press Releases

"Dark Things from the Shutter Box" returns to Körner's Folly
- All sales go directly to assist with structural renovations
- 7th generation descendant to perform in "Cupid's Park" theater

Throughout October the strangest house in America will be hosting one of the strangest shows. “Dark Things from the Shutter Box” is the creation of Charles F Kerner, a relative (1st cousin, 5 generations removed) of the builder of Körner’s Folly, Jule Gilmer Körner. Those who would confuse these performances to be comparable to the ubiquitous ‘haunted houses’ that spring up this time of year will be thoroughly unprepared for what will take place. What will be experienced is an intelligent and sophisticated exploration of the arcane magical arts.

Dusk was already approaching as the door opened in invitation to the evenings guests. The soft lighting gives the impression that the foyer is still being lit by candlelight as it was when the house was built in 1880. Elegantly dressed hostesses greet you and direct you into an adjoining room where wine is served while you are introduced to the other guests for that evening. Socializing is encouraged since before the night is over the group may be grateful to have safety in numbers.

Born on Halloween 1953, Charles believed as a child that everyone was dressed in costumes and stopping at his door to help him celebrate his birthday. This giving of treats to visitors led to his belief that he was to give gifts to others on this special day rather than receive them. Although Charles soon learned that this was not the case, he never lost the feeling that giving on his birthday was more pleasurable that receiving. In 2006 Charles approached a long time friend, Connie Martin, who is the director of the Körner’s Folly Foundation and proposed an event to raise money for the continuing restoration of the Folly. He would perform a magical play as a gift to the Folly Foundation. A trial run of Saturday evening shows were given in March of 2007 and the success of those shows prompted an invitation to recreate those same proceedings the following October.

The wine social is drawn to a close by an attractive hostess who directs the guests upstairs where the performance will begin. It is a large room with a high ceiling. Some of the intricately carved furniture so large that they required assemble inside the room from where they could then never be removed. Music evokes just the right mood for the gathering as the beginning of the show is announced. Charles walks into the room and begins the performance.

Charles developed an interest in magic while in his teens. Not the evil ritual type but the genteel art of sleight-of-hand, legerdemain and illusion. So over the next few decades he became quite the academic magician. He studied and practiced the arcane art diligently and meticulously with no real performances (with rare exceptions) being given other than to show a few parlor tricks to his close friends at social gatherings. It’s been told that some people attended these events just to see what miniature miracle Charles had come up with this time.

The performance having been concluded the now spellbound group is invited to partake in a wine and cheese reception with the magician. Such phrases as ‘heart stopping’, ‘mystifying and ‘utterly amazing’ are not uncommon. As an added bonus the participants are allowed to roam the house at will and examine this unique home in more detail. Just reading the placards within each room can easily fill another hour. By the time each guest leaves there is no doubt that they have had a most singular and remarkable experience. (More info HERE)

Körner's Folly Kicks Off Annual Fundraising Campaign
- Folly raises funds to assist with structural renovations
- Local financial support sought for Kernersville landmark

The Korner's Folly Foundation kicked off its annual fundraising campaign on Monday, April 9, 2007 with a goal to raise money in part to support much-needed structural repairs. The campaign has been developed in place of Körner's Folly's typical annual membership drive due to a heightened need for financial support.
"The house is in need of considerable repairs to the foundation and flooring system in order to maintain its present state for future generations to enjoy," says Director Connie Martin. "We are still in the process of assessing specific costs for these repairs, but it's safe to say that short-term restoration costs will be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars." (More info HERE)

"Reader's Theater"

Körner's Folly currently has a curriculum program devoted to teaching the history of the Folly to first and third graders. First graders from Sedge Garden Elementary School and third graders from Piney Grove Elementary School regularly visit and participate in readings and skits.

The Körner's Folly Foundation Partners with Target for Sponsorship of the Reader's Theater at Körner's Folly

Kernersville, NC - September 11, 2006 - The Körner's Folly Foundation today announced a partnership with Target for sponsorship of its 3rd Grade Readers Theater program. This educational program offers a unique historical learning experience through interactive role playing by 3rd grade students portraying local historical figures in the original surroundings where their lives and events made history.

"The Körner's Folly Foundation is grateful to Target for their generosity and community interest. We are honored to have the opportunity to partner with Target, enabling us to enhance our Readers Theater program and give to our school children an unforgettable learning experience." (Connie Martin, Director Körner's Folly Foundation)

This sponsorship is part of the ongoing support Target provides to local communities throughout the country. Every week Target gives more than $2 million to strengthen families and communities across the nation, with a focus on education, the arts, social services and other vital community partnerships.

"At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our sponsorship program," said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. "We're proud to partner with the Körner's Folly Foundation as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work."

Additionally, Target also gives back through signature programs that are designed to inspire learning in children and families. Programs include:

Take Charge of Education®, a school fundraising program;

Ready. Sit. Read!, a program dedicated to fostering a life-long love of reading in children;

Start Something®, a partnership between Target and the Tiger Woods Foundation, which helps kids build core values;

Target House, which serves as a home-away-from-home for families of children receiving life-saving treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis; and

Target Volunteers, team members and retirees who annually donate more than 315,000 hours of time to more than 7,000 community-based projects

About Körner's Folly
Körner's Folly is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1880, it was the showcase home of decorator, designer Jule Gilmer Körner. This historic home offers 22 rooms on seven levels and is crowned by America's first privately owned theartre. The Körner's Folly Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to restore and preserve Körner's Folly for the education and enjoyment of the public.

About Target
Target gives back more than $2 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs. Additionally, Target team members and retirees donate more than 315,000 hours to more than 7,000 projects each year.

- March 10, 2006

Körner's Folly (413 South Main Street, Kernersville, 336-996-7922; $6 for adults), 15 minutes outside Winston-Salem on the way to the airport, is the 22-room former home of Jule Körner, an artist and architect who painted Bull Durham cigarette ads on buildings throughout the South. It is a dizzying amalgam spread over three stories and seven levels; ceilings range from 5 to 25 feet. There are intricate mosaic tile on the floors, murals, trap doors and pivoting windows

September 23, 2005

KERNERSVILLE, NC -- Körner's Folly, the 1880 showplace home of artist and designer Jule Gilmer Körner, will be featured in the season premier of UNC-TV's Our State series. Our State kicks off its second season Wednesday, October 5, at 8:00pm, with Körner's Folly as the opening segment to this half-hour monthly series that takes an in-depth look at the people and places that make North Carolina great.

Be sure to tune into UNC-TV on Wednesday, October 5th at 8:00pm for the season premier of Our State, featuring Körner's Folly. If you can't catch the show on Wednesday, tune in on Thursday, October 6th at 9:30 for a repeat showing.

Our State is produced by UNC-TV in partnership with Our State magazine and generously underwritten BB&T.

Korner’s Folly celebrates 125 years in 2005 - From the Kernersville News, 12/28/2004

Korner’s Folly will be celebrating its 125th anniversary next year. Celebrations will last throughout the year with four main events being held in the months of April, June, October and December. Korner’s Folly was founded on March 26, 1880. The celebration had to be pushed back to April 2, because the actual founding date, March 26, falls on Easter weekend in 2005. Certain events will be invitation only but the community will always be welcome to events on the grounds of Korner’s Folly and all events happening around Kernersville....Read the entire article here!

Carolina Country - "Korner's Folley Celebrates Its 125th Birthday" - By Karen Olsen House , 3/2005 - Korner's Folly, dubbed "The Strangest House in the World," has long amused visitors who gape at its fanciful Victorian rooms and showy furniture. Starting next month, the historic home in Kernersville hosts a year-long set of activities to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Festivities include a community party with barbecue and masquerade costume ball on April 2, and an ice cream social on June 25. ... Read the entire article here!

North Carolina Farm Bureau, 2/2005 - Winston-Salem has a wealth of history and places of interest to visit, but in nearby Kernersville interested individuals can find one of North Carolina's most unusual attractions.

On Main Street of this bustling town is a Victorian-era home called Korner's Folly...Read the entire article here!

Sounds of Home: Piano restorer leads crew of workers and volunteers in a labor of love - From the Winston-Salem Journal, 12/16/2004
KERNERSVILLE - With a heave-ho, an 1880s grand piano has returned to its home on the top floor of Korner's Folly...Folly workers and volunteers gathered around the piano to take pictures and watch piano-restorer Michael Stinnett supervise the reassembly of the piano...Read the entire article here!

Southern Living May 2004 - "Marvel at Körner's Folly"
Tour this fantastical 1880 house for an afternoon of architectural wonder. The mansion known as Korner's
Folly resembles many other handsome, well-kept historic homes tucked around Kernersville, North Carolina, a little Lown about midway between Greensboro and Winston­Salem. At least on the outside, that is.

So you might wonder how the "folly" description came about. Is the three-story, 100- foot-tall house real or a mirage? The house is quite real and quite amazing. The residence seemed a little ahead of its time when it was being constructed in the late 1 870s. So much so that a neighboring farmer walking by the structure reportedly said, "This will surely be Jule Körner's folly." ... Read the entire article here!