In this space, use the most SEO-friendly words (several times) in this paragraph. In 1878, Jule Gilmer Körner began construction on what would become Körner’s Folly. As an interior and furniture designer, decorator, and painter, Jule planned to use this building to showcase his design work to his clients. He filled Körner’s Folly with his interior and furniture designs, as a “catalogue” for his clients to view his work. As Körner’s Folly began to take shape, its unique design defied simple description and the house was constantly under renovation to make way for new designs. No two doorways or windows are exactly alike; there are 15 different fireplaces, and ceiling heights range from 5 ½ feet to 25 feet. The pivoting “windows” and other openings anchor a unique air distribution system, while cubbyholes and trap doors exemplify Victorian ingenuity.
First Heading Here
Korner's Folly
1851 Julius Gilmer Körner is born
Julius Gilmer Körner, known, as Jule, is born. The youngest son of Philip and Judith Kerner, and the grandson of Joseph Kerner, the founder of the Town of Kernersville
1872-1875 Career as a designer begins
Jule moves to Philadelphia to study fine art, then sets up shop in Cincinnati, Ohio as an artist and designer. Jule returns home in 1875 upon hearing the news of the death of his father; sets up shop as a designer in his brother’s house, and begins painting signs for local businesses.
1878-1880 Körner’s Folly Construction
Jule constructs Körner’s Folly; soon after, he begins creating ‘Bull Durham’ outdoor advertisements for the Blackwell Tobacco Company
1886 Jule Marries Polly Alice Masten
Jule marries Polly Alice Masten of Winston. They have two children: a son born in 1887, Jule Gilmer Körner Jr., known as Gilmer, and a daughter in 1889, Allie Doré Körner, known as Doré. Soon after, Blackwell Tobacco is purchased by W. Duke & Sons of Durham, eventually forming the American Tobacco Company. Duke moves the headquarters to New York and offers Jule a job heading up the advertising department, but Jule decides to stay in Kernersville.
First Renovation Begins
1890 First Major Renovation
Jule does the first major renovation to Körner’s Folly, to make space for his growing family. He closes in the open carriageway, relocates the stables, and builds two additions (Kitchen and Breakfast Room). During the remodel, the home’s 11 rooms are transformed into 22 rooms.
1891 Reuben Rink Named
Reuben Rink Home Decorating & House Furnishing Company is officially named. Under direction of Jule Körner, they provide design expertise to wealthy clients all over the southeastern United States
1896 Aunt Dealy Passes
Aunt Dealy passes. Her funeral is officiated by both a white pastor and a black pastor. She is buried in the Körner family graveyard at the Kernersville Moravian Church’s Gods Acre, despite protests by the congregation.
Second Renovation Begins
1908 Second Major Renovation
Gilmer and Dore graduate from Trinity College and Salem College (respectively), Jule does the second major renovation to the Folly, reportedly spending $17,000 (approximately $400,000 in today’s USD).
1924 Jule Körner Dies
Jule Körner dies; Polly Alice Körner dies 10 years later, to the day, in November 1934. Their children die in 1967 (Gilmer) and in 1980 (Dore). Many Körner / Kerner descendants still live in Kernersville and surrounding areas today.
1970 Körner’s Folly Saved from Demolition
Körner’s Folly falls into severe disrepair, but is saved from demolition when 26 local families purchase the home. They succeed in listing the house on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. They become the house’s caretakers for the next 25 years.
1995 Körner’s Folly Foundation Incorporated
The Körner’s Folly Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; the original 26 families dissolve their ownership in the property. A volunteer Board of Directors now governs the property. The first staff member is hired in 2000. Over the next 15 years, staff is increasingly professionalized, and a strategic restoration plan is implemented.
2012-Present Restoration
The first major restoration work is completed. The house’s three exterior porches are restored, the foundation is repaired, and the entire roof is replaced. These three projects ensure the structural vitality of the property. The goal of the Körner’s Folly Foundation is to restore two rooms per year, with a timeline to complete the interior restoration by 2024.