Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Springtime Fun at the Folly

Posted on | News

This Spring, enjoy the warmer weather at Körner’s Folly historic house museum with a variety of fun activities and events for all ages.

On Saturday, May 1, from 9 am – 4 pm, Körner’s Folly will host our 3rd Annual Vintage Market, featuring the best in local and handmade jewelry, pottery, bath and body products, textiles, leather goods, delicious foodstuffs, and much more. 30+ Vendors will be set up on the lawn for this outdoors and distanced market.

$2 Admission will be collected from Adults; Children under 18 will be free. All proceeds go the Körner’s Folly Foundation’s efforts to restore and preserve the house for the education and enjoyment of the public. Masks Required for Entry. No Smoking, No Pets. Service Animals are always welcome. Purchase Vintage Market Tickets here.

On Saturday, May 8, from 9 – 11:30 am, Körner’s Folly is teaming up with the Kernersville Museum to host the 1st Annual Kernersville History Mystery Hunt, a scavenger hunt and race through the downtown historic district in celebration of Historic Preservation Month. Teams of 4-6 will compete to win great local prizes and discover the hidden stories behind our town’s most iconic structures. Registration closes April 23.

On Saturday, June 19, from 9 – 11:30 am, Körner’s Folly will host an edition of our popular Victorian Parlor Series, titled “Plein Air Painting.” This program is suitable for beginners to advanced painters, will be led by local artist Gary Ritz, who will demonstrate how to set up and paint in the great outdoors with the whimsical architecture of the Victorian-era house serving as inspiration. Tickets are $40 per person and include all necessary supplies.

Körner’s Folly is open for self-guided tours Tuesdays – Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm, with the last tour at 3 pm. To book your self-guided tour in advance, click here. Some same-day tickets may be available – call (336) 996-7922 for reservation assistance.

CLOSED for Tours April 13-16

Important Announcement: This April, Körner’s Folly will be closed to the public due to restoration work on April 13 – 16.  Tickets are available to tour on Saturday, April 17.

This work is part of our restoration campaign to restore the Children’s Playrooms, Foyer, and Library.  Work began in February and is expected to take approximately 4 months to complete.  During this closure, the rooms will be painted their original color schemes.

 

 

Foundation Signs Architect for New Visitors Center at Körner’s Folly

The Körner’s Folly Foundation is excited to announce that Michael West, of West & Stem Architects (Winston-Salem, NC) has signed on as the principal architect for the Foundation’s new Visitors Center at Körner’s Folly. Hiring an architect represents a critical step in the Foundation’s Capital Campaign, which has just reached a new milestone of 85% of funds raised towards the total campaign goal.

Thanks to the generous support of private donors, grant foundations, and corporate organizations, the Foundation hopes to be able to break ground on the Visitor Center in the fall of 2021.  Prior to groundbreaking, the important work of designing the building must begin soon. This work, headed by Michael West and the firm’s civil engineer, begins with a survey of the site’s boundary, topographic features, and utility access. Next, West will create detailed floor plans based on the structural layout and mechanical systems. The site of the future Visitors Center, which lies along Main Street to the north-east of Körner’s Folly, will be under construction for approximately eight months, and is scheduled to open to the public in fall of 2022.

West & Stem Architects was chosen for this project because of their incredible portfolio as well as their responsive design approach. With a blend of historic preservation work (such as restoration of WinMock at Kinderton and Bethania Mill), civic space designs (including the Kernersville branch of the Forsyth County Public Library, Parkland High School, Wiley Middle School, and the Winston-Salem Police Department’s 1st and 3rd Districts), and homes for nonprofit organizations (Samaritan Ministries, Forsyth Humane Society, Center Grove Baptist Church), the Körner’s Folly Foundation Board of Directors believe that West & Stem will be able to deliver a design for the Visitors Center that is visionary and flexible, suited for a variety of gatherings and programs, and echoes the unique architecture of Jule Körner’s whimsical, Victorian-era structure.

The design for the Visitors Center will incorporate several much-needed upgrades for Körner’s Folly, which has seen record-breaking attendance for several years. The plan will include a critical expansion of parking and restroom facilities, flexible community space, a media room, conference room, exhibition space for fragile objects from the organization’s collection, and a research library. Handicap access will be an integral part of the design, allowing the Körner’s Folly Foundation to increase access to the historic house, which was constructed in 1880.

In addition, the Visitors Center at Körner’s Folly will serve as a gateway to historic downtown Kernersville, providing a wide variety of information for tourists to discover options for dining, shopping, lodging, and enjoying all the cultural amenities the town has to offer.

“We are thrilled to be able to move forward with this step of hiring the right architect for this project,” said Dale Pennington, Executive Director of the Körner’s Folly Foundation. “We look forward to working with West & Stem to create a design that addresses the needs of our organization and community, and creates a beautiful new cornerstone for the town of Kernersville.”

The funds raised through the Capital Campaign for Körner’s Folly will be used to complete construction of the new Visitors Center, as well as to finish critical restoration of the remaining rooms of the historic house, and to establish a sustainability fund to cover long-term costs of building maintenance and educational programs.

“Special recognition goes to the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Kernersville for helping to make this project a reality,” says Executive Director Dale Pennington. “With the commitment of $750,000 from the Town, we have been able to get major donors on board and excited about this opportunity to build for a greater Kernersville. We believe that the new Visitor Center’s impact will be extremely positive, both economically as well as culturally.”

For more information about the Capital Campaign for Körner’s Folly or the Visitors Center at Körner’s Folly, please contact info@kornersfolly.org or call (336) 996-7922.

Vintage Market Vendor Info

Posted on | News

APPLICATIONS FOR VINTAGE MARKET MAY 1 ARE NOW CLOSED. Thank you to everyone who applied to be a vendor!

Körner’s Folly is seeking vendors for the third annual Vintage Market on Saturday, May 1, 2021, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. A juried market featuring the best local, handmade, and vintage items for sale, over 500 shoppers enjoyed Vintage Market in 2019.

Following health and safety recommendations, this market will be outdoors and socially distanced. Face coverings are required and must be worn over the nose the mouth while on the grounds of Körner’s Folly.

A $2.00 per adult (Under 18 are free) fee will be required for shoppers’ entry to Vintage Market if executive orders in North Carolina still place a limit on mass gatherings by the time of the event. This fee is meant to help staff control capacity of the Market area, and to help raise funds for the Körner’s Folly Foundation’s efforts to preserve and restore the historic house for the education and enjoyment of the public. Vendors and their assistants will not be subject to entry fees.

 

Vintage Market Vendor Fee is $35.

Apply below – applications due by Friday, March 26, 2021.

Vendors will be notified of acceptance no later than Friday, April 2, 2021.

If accepted, vendors will then be sent a link to pay the fee. Fees must be paid no later than Friday, April 9, 2021.

Rain date for this event will be Sunday, May 2, 2021.

 

To stay in line with COVID-19 safety practices, booths will be spaced.  Face coverings are required and must be worn over the nose and mouth for the duration of the market. Vendors and customers are encouraged to social distance, use our sanitizing stations, and not visit if you have a known exposure or symptoms of COVID-19. Read more about our safety policies here.

The house will be open for self-guided tours during the event, by appointment. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults, $6.00 for Children (Ages 6-18), and Free for Children Under 6. Tour information can be found here.

Valentine's By Candlelight

  • Step 1: Your Contact Information

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Step 2: Choose your date and tickets

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Children 5 and younger are free.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • $0.00

  • Step 3: Checkout

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Restoration Begins for Children’s Playrooms, Foyer, and Library

In 2021, the Körner’s Folly Foundation is turning its efforts to three major restoration projects: the Children’s Playrooms, the Foyer, and the Library. This work will include replacing the failing plaster ceilings, removing modern ductwork, repairing the floors, refinishing the original furniture, and restoring the paint and historic wallpaper color schemes.

These rooms undergoing restoration in 2021 are particularly exciting because this will be the Foundation’s first foray into historic wallpapers. Dale Pennington, Executive Director, says of the projects: “We know that Jule Körner used wallpaper in various rooms throughout Körner’s Folly.  It will be exciting to showcase the intricate styles, patterns, and color schemes that were popular in the Victorian Era. I think the vibrancy of the colors will really surprise people!”

Work began in early February and is expected to take four months. Tours will continue to take place while restoration is being completed, though parts of the house will be periodically closed.

Körner’s Folly Celebrates Black History Month

This year for Black History Month, we are sharing a new virtual exhibit, titled “Who Was Aunt Dealy?”

Many visitors to Körner’s Folly have explored “Aunt Dealy’s Cottage,” the current (though temporarily closed due to COVID) gift shop and admissions counter, orientation theatre, and office space, and have had many thoughtful questions about the structure and its historic occupant.

This exhibit aims to provide more information and context about the life of Clara Körner, also known as Aunt Dealy, and her experiences. Clara’s life, spanning the years 1820 – 1896, offers a unique opportunity to explore the impact that slavery, Reconstruction, and a fast-changing society had upon the lives of Americans during this often overlooked historical period.

Click here to visit the virtual exhibit now.

Körner’s Folly Reopening January 13th!

Dear Folly Friends – After a brief closure following the holiday season, we are pleased to announce the reopening of Körner’s Folly on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 for self-guided tours by appointment. Our top priority, in addition to sharing our beloved historical treasure, will be the well-being of our visitors and staff.  We will require face coverings, limit capacity, encourage distancing using timed entry, offer sanitizing stations, and regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces.

All tour tickets and appointment will be booked through our website.  To purchase tour tickets, please click here.

We will be open for tours Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10am-4pm.  Adults are $10, Children (ages 6-18) are $6, and Children Under 6 are free.

As we gear up for continued restoration projects in 2021, we are currently only opening tour tickets from now until the end of January.  We will update the website once we have our 2021 restoration schedule finalized, which could result in room closures. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We look forward to sharing our exciting restoration progress with you soon!

2020 Holiday Season at Körner’s Folly

Historic Kernersville landmark Körner’s Folly, a 5,600 architectural wonderland, prepares once again for a spectacular holiday season. Each winter, this remarkable 22-room structure adds a layer of adornment and excitement with ornate displays of Christmas décor.

Preparations for this magical time of the year begin in October, as staff embark upon a deep cleaning, relocate fragile collection objects, and unpack cherished ornaments. Thanks to the energy and creativity of a corps of special volunteers, the rooms of Körner’s Folly will be filled with Victorian-inspired trees, garlands, and beautiful interpretations of this year’s theme of Christmas Carols. Holiday tours will be offered starting November 27, 2020 and will run through January 2, 2021.

Körner’s Folly also looks forward to hosting the first annual Holiday Market on November 28, 2020, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, in conjunction with Small Business Saturday, to provide visitors with a one-stop shop for holiday gifts created by local makers and artisans. Following health and safety recommendations, this market will be outdoors and socially distanced.

In addition, Körner’s Folly will host special evening tours to offer visitors a truly unforgettable experience. Evening tours, known as Christmas by Candlelight, will be offered on December 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event.

For a fun, day-time experience, join us for A Kernersville Yuletide, when 3 local destinations team up for a day-time holiday experience at the Kernersville Museum, Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, and Körner’s Folly, on Saturday, December 12, 2020, 10am-3pm.

This year, to help Körner’s Folly manage capacity and cleaning protocols, tours are available by appointment only, via our website www.kornersfolly.org. “We are looking forward to making this season bright for all our visitors and staff, as well as prioritizing health and safety,” says Executive Director Dale Pennington. “We encourage those who enjoy the decorations at Körner’s Folly every year as a holiday tradition, to return this season, with the reassurance that we are doing everything we can to ensure an excellent experience for everyone. We’re also very excited about this year’s theme, and anticipate the house being full of music and excitement of Victorian-era Christmas carols.”

Körner’s Folly is open for self-guided tours Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, with the last tour appointment offered at 3:00 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance at https://kornersfolly.org/buy-tickets. Please call (336) 996-7922 for more information. Regular updates posted on Facebook and Instagram @KornersFolly.

 

Holiday Market Vendor Information

Körner’s Folly looks forward to hosting the first annual Holiday Market on November 28, 2020, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, in conjunction with Small Business Saturday, to provide visitors with a one-stop shop for holiday gifts created by local makers and artisans.

Following health and safety recommendations, this market will be outdoors and socially distanced. Face coverings are required and must be worn over the nose the mouth while on the grounds of Körner’s Folly.

Holiday Market Vendor Fee is $35. Apply below. Vendors will be notified of acceptance no later than Monday, November 9, 2020.  If accepted, vendors will then be sent a link to pay the fee no later than Monday, November 16, 2020.

New for 2020: 

To stay in-line with COVID-19 safety practices, booths will be spaced.  Face coverings are required and must be worn over the nose and mouth for the duration of the market. Vendors and customers are encouraged to social distance, use our sanitizing stations, and not visit if you have a known exposure or symptoms of COVID-19. Read more about our safety policies here.

The house will be open for self-guided tours during the event, by appointment. Tickets are $10.00 for Adults, $6.00 for Children (Ages 6-18), and Free for Children Under 6. Tour information can be found here.

 

***The Vendor Application is now CLOSED*** Spaces for the market are full.

 

Kernersville Oktoberfest T-Shirts

Posted on | News

Victorian Cocktail On-Demand

Fill out the form below to purchase your on-demand download. Once submitted, you will receive an email with instructions to access on-demand program. Thank you for supporting Historic Körner's Folly!

Körner’s Folly Receives NC CARES: Humanities Relief Grant Funding

 

Körner’s Folly Receives NC CARES: Humanities Relief Grant Funding

 

The Körner’s Folly Foundation has received a NC CARES: Humanities Relief Grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council. This emergency grant funding was provided to North Carolina cultural organizations experiencing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are grateful to be one of 59 organizations the North Carolina Humanities Council selected for this funding,” said Dale Pennington, Executive Director

This important funding will support a new At-Home Program: Victorian Time Traveler. This program provides a complete supply kit and videos for Homeschool Families to step back in time and discover what life was like in the Victorian Era. Thanks to generous funding from the NC Humanities Council and private donors, we are able to offer our Victorian Time Traveler Program at free and reduced rates.

Körner’s Folly has been closed to the public since March 2020 due to the pandemic.  The historic home will reopen once NC moves to Phase 3 per the Governor’s Office Executive Orders.

NC CARES: Humanities Relief Grant funding was provided to the North Carolina Humanities Council by the National Endowment for the Humanities through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in late March. The $2.2 trillion CARES package included $75 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities, nearly $30 million, or a total of 40%, of which was sent to the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils, including the North Carolina Humanities Council, to distribute to local cultural nonprofits and programming. The North Carolina Humanities Council www.nchumanities.org is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Thanks to generous funding from the NC Humanities Council and private donors, we are able to offer our Victorian Time Traveler Program at free and reduced rates.

You can learn more about the program here: Victorian Time Traveler.

You can use the form below to apply for a scholarship for a free Victorian Time Traveler Program:

Advance Tickets are Now Closed

 

CLOSED Until Further Notice

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation.  For the safety of the community, Körner’s Folly is temporarily closed to the public until further notice per NC Executive Order 147. Events have been cancelled, postponed, or made virtual through August 15.  Körner’s Folly plans to re-open once the NC Executive Order is issued for Phase 3. We will post updates here when we have information about a re-open date.

In the meantime, connect with us on social media and check out our online educational resources, where you’ll find downloadable craft projects, historic recipes, and restoration updates.