Körner’s Folly

Körner’s Folly Eclectic Victorian home of Jule Körner and his family, built in 1880 in Kernersville, NC Körner's Folly now has 22 rooms located on 7 levels with 15 fireplaces.
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Designed to house the portfolio of interior decorator and artist, Jule Gilmer Körner, the 141-year-old Körner’s Folly is a labyrinthine tribute to one man’s unique architectural vision. Located in historic downtown Kernersville, Körner's Folly was built from 1878-1880. Located on the top level is one of the first private little theaters built in the US. Throughout the house you will see murals on

almost every ceiling, elaborately carved woodwork, numerous cast-plaster details, and original furnishings.

Oktoberfest Kickoff at Gypsy Road Brewing 🍻Join us at Gypsy-Road Brewing Company on Wednesday, July 8, from 5:00–7:00 p....
06/24/2026

Oktoberfest Kickoff at Gypsy Road Brewing 🍻

Join us at Gypsy-Road Brewing Company on Wednesday, July 8, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. as we kick off Körner’s Folly’s signature fundraising event—the 16th Annual Kernersville Oktoberfest, returning Saturday, October 3, 2026!

Spend an evening of conversation, craft beer, and anticipation for one of the Folly’s most beloved fundraising events, this kickoff offers a chance to connect with members of the Körner’s Folly staff and Board of Directors, ask your Oktoberfest questions, and be among the first to purchase tickets for this year’s celebration.

We are especially grateful to Gypsy Road Brewing Company for serving as our host and sponsor for this event. Their continued support, generosity, and commitment to our community make gatherings like this possible, and they have become an important part of what makes Kernersville such a special place.

We’ll also debut our 2026 Oktoberfest Tee design and will be taking pre-orders for arrival in time for wearing to the ‘Fest!

Every ticket purchased helps support Körner’s Folly’s ongoing work to preserve, share, and celebrate one of North Carolina’s most extraordinary historic places, ensuring that its stories, craftsmanship, and sense of discovery continue to inspire future generations.

Gather with us as we look ahead to another memorable Oktoberfest season!

📸 Images by Jonathan Greene

Crafting With the Körner's: Perfume Making with PoesieJoin us on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for a hands-on perfume making ...
06/23/2026

Crafting With the Körner's: Perfume Making with Poesie

Join us on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for a hands-on perfume making workshop with Poesie Perfume and Tea, and discover the art of crafting your own signature scent. As part of our Victorian Parlor Series, this immersive experience invites participants to explore the rich, warm notes of amber while learning the fundamentals of fragrance blending from an experienced instructor.

🎟 Tickets are available now at kornersfolly.org. All materials and supplies are included, and each participant will leave with their own handcrafted amber fragrance to enjoy.

Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and father figures! 🎩At Körner’s Folly, we are often reminded of the deep devotion tha...
06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and father figures! 🎩

At Körner’s Folly, we are often reminded of the deep devotion that Jule Körner had for his family. Beyond creating a remarkable home, Jule invested his time, resources, and care into helping his children thrive. He ensured they received an exceptional education and encouraged their interests in the visual arts, music, and foreign languages. 🎶

As Gilmer and Doré grew older, Jule continued to support their journeys, providing opportunities to travel, explore careers, and pursue their dreams with confidence and curiosity.

Today, we celebrate the fathers and father figures whose guidance, encouragement, and love help shape future generations. Wishing you a joyful and meaningful Father’s Day.

Get your tickets to the Fourth Annual Folly Flower Show! 💐Don your best bonnet or hat and enjoy a weekend of florals at ...
06/20/2026

Get your tickets to the Fourth Annual Folly Flower Show! 💐

Don your best bonnet or hat and enjoy a weekend of florals at Körner’s Folly’s 4th Annual Folly Flower Show!

Join us Saturday, July 18 from 10 am - 4 pm or Sunday, July 19 from 12 - 4 pm for a celebration of all things floral, with exquisite arrangements created by local artists, arrangers, gardeners, and community members! Tour all 22 rooms of the home of visionary artist and designer Jule Körner, with live floral displays inspired by the colors, art, and function of each whimsical space.

Find inspiration and connections with art and history while enjoying stunning displays of floral mastery! Learn about floriography, or the language of flowers, and the Victorian-Era symbolism of plants at this special event.

Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturalist or simply love flowers, there’s something for everyone at our Folly Flower Show! Book tickets in advance at kornersfolly.org, or purchase upon arrival.

Saturday attendees are invited to a special reception and awards ceremony in the Community Room of the John & Bobbie Wolfe Visitors Center from 11 am - 1 pm.

Members receive a 20% discount on special event tickets! To check your membership status or for the discount code, please call (336) 996-7922 and we will be sure to assist you!

Past Folly Flower Show Images in order of appearance: Floral design by Ashley Sinclair, Gary Ritz, Lisa Schaner, and Adrienne Roethling

Tomorrow, plan your trip to Körner’s Folly and Harmon Park to celebrate Juneteenth! 🥳 Join us on Friday, June 19, for a ...
06/18/2026

Tomorrow, plan your trip to Körner’s Folly and Harmon Park to celebrate Juneteenth! 🥳

Join us on Friday, June 19, for a day of reflection, creativity, history, and community as we honor Juneteenth in partnership with Triad Cultural Arts, the Town of Kernersville, and the Körner’s Folly Foundation.

🎨 At 4:30 PM – Körner’s Folly
Begin the celebration by exploring the life and legacy of Clara Körner (“Aunt Dealy”) through personal artifacts and stories preserved by the Körner family. Enjoy self-guided tours of Körner’s Folly and take part in the Interactive Unity Mural Painting, a collaborative community art experience that celebrates connection, history, and healing.

🎟 FREE Admission – No Registration Required

🌳 At 6:30 PM – Harmon Park
Continue the celebration at the Town of Kernersville’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, featuring:
🍔 Local food vendors
🛍 Community vendors
🎈 Kid-friendly activities
🕊 Prayer & information tents
👕 Free T-shirts while supplies last
🎉 Free admission for all

Bring your family, friends, and neighbors as we celebrate freedom, culture, and community together. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow in Kernersville!

Upcoming Juneteenth Community Celebration! 🎨Join us on Friday, June 19, as we celebrate Juneteenth through storytelling,...
06/17/2026

Upcoming Juneteenth Community Celebration! 🎨

Join us on Friday, June 19, as we celebrate Juneteenth through storytelling, creativity, and community in partnership with Triad Cultural Arts, Town of Kernersville, North Carolina, and the Körner’s Folly Foundation.

This year, we are honored to welcome Leo Rucker, friend of the late Richard Hedgecock, whose passion for art and community continues to inspire. Guests are invited to help create an Interactive Unity Mural Painting, adding their own brushstroke to a collaborative work that reflects the rich connection between art, history, and healing. This special community project is made possible through the support of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County.

🎟 FREE Admission - No Registration Required

🎩 At 4:30 PM - Körner’s Folly
Explore the life and legacy of Clara Körner(also known as “Aunt Dealy”), through personal artifacts and stories preserved by the Körner family. Self-guided tours of Körner’s Folly will begin at 4:30 PM, alongside the community mural experience led by Leo Rucker.

🌳 At 6:30 PM - Harmon Park
Continue the celebration at the Town of Kernersville’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration featuring:
🎵 Live music and performances
🥪 Local vendors and delicious food
🧺 Family-friendly activities
🕊 Prayer and information tents
🎉 A spectacular drone show to close the evening

Come celebrate a day of joy, history, and unity! Together, we’ll honor the past while creating something meaningful for the future.

In this corner of the Den, historic craftsmanship is on full display. The restored deep red walls and ornamental woodwor...
06/15/2026

In this corner of the Den, historic craftsmanship is on full display. The restored deep red walls and ornamental woodwork frame a space that once welcomed many family gatherings, quiet reading, and later, Polly Alice Körner’s sewing projects.

This room served a variety of purposes during the family's time at Körner’s Folly. When the stables occupied this section of the house, the space functioned as a tack room. It was later transformed into the Den, a comfortable retreat for reading, conversation, and relaxation. A 1908 article from the Greensboro Daily News described the room as being “large enough to seat six people,” furnished with wicker and leather pieces, including a leather-upholstered boot couch.

Following Jule Körner’s passing in 1924, Polly Alice repurposed the Den as her sewing room. A skilled seamstress and President of the Kernersville Embroidery Guild, she spent countless hours here creating and mending textiles. Today, visitors can still see one of the earliest models produced after Howe invented the first American sewing machine in 1846.

The restoration of the Den, completed in 2018, returned the room to its original appearance through carpentry repairs, furniture refurbishment, and the restoration of its rich red color scheme. From tack room to gathering space to sewing room, the Den reflects the many layers of daily life that unfolded within Körner’s Folly.

Happy Flag Day! This close-up from a postcard postmarked 1919 offers a glimpse into the early 20th-century Winston-Salem...
06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day!

This close-up from a postcard postmarked 1919 offers a glimpse into the early 20th-century Winston-Salem, featuring the city's post office proudly displaying the American flag.

Flag Day is observed each year on June 14 and commemorates the adoption of the "Stars and Stripes" as the official flag of the United States in 1777. Historic images such as this one remind us of how the flag has been woven into everyday life for generations, standing watch over civic buildings and serving as a symbol of unity at public gatherings.

Featured: A postcard sent to the Körner family postmarked 1919, from the archives.

06/12/2026

Some exciting news: our Kernersville commercial is officially a Telly Award Winner! 🏅

Thank you to everyone who believes in what we’re building and to Reach and for helping us tell our story.

On Friday, June 19, join Triad Cultural Arts, the Town of Kernersville, and the Körner’s Folly Foundation for a day of j...
06/11/2026

On Friday, June 19, join Triad Cultural Arts, the Town of Kernersville, and the Körner’s Folly Foundation for a day of joy, history, and unity!

Beginning at 4:30 PM at Körner’s Folly, learn about the life of Clara Körner (also known as “Aunt Dealy”) through a self-guided experience featuring her home, personal artifacts preserved by the Körner family, and a community arts project led by artist Leo Rucker. attendees are invited to join in creating a canvas in celebration of Juneteenth, made possible by grant funding from Arts Council of Winston-Salem & Forsyth County.

This program is free to attend, and self-guided tours of Körner’s Folly will be available beginning at 4:30 PM. No registration is required.

Then at 6:30 PM, continue the celebration at Harmon Park for the Town of Kernersville’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration featuring live performances, music, local vendors, food, family-friendly activities, prayer and a drone show to close out the evening!

Address

401 South Main Street
Kernersville, NC
27284

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+13369967922

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