Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Christmas 2022 at Körner’s Folly

A Victorian Christmas at Körner’s Folly

November 25, 2022 – January 7, 2023

KERNERSVILLE, NC – Historic Körner’s Folly, 413 S. Main Street, invites you to a Victorian Christmas for the 2022 Holiday Season, from Friday, November 25 to Saturday, January 7, 2023, presented by H&R Block, Kernersville. Each winter, this remarkable 22-room home takes on an extra layer of embellishment and excitement with ornate displays of Christmas décor.

In addition, Körner’s Folly will hold special evening events to offer a truly unforgettable experience. Christmas by Candlelight 2022 is presented by OutWest Steakhouse and Metcalf Family Dentistry. With costumed reenactors from Kernersville Little Theater hosting guests and singing seasonal carols, Christmas by Candlelight will be offered on December 3 and 17 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets available at www.kornersfolly.org.
Adding to the festivities on Saturday, December 10, Körner’s Folly will host the Children’s Choir from First Presbyterian Church of Winston-Salem, NC for two holiday-themed concerts (11:00 am and 1:30 pm), as a part of the Kernersville Yuletide celebration. Concerts will be free for ticket-holders.

“This year, we are also looking forward to giving back to our community with a book drive for students of Kernersville Elementary,” says Executive Director Dale Pennington. “Our busiest time of the year is the perfect time for us to help pass along the magic of Christmas to others.” Visitors during the holiday season are invited to bring a new or gently-used book, appropriate for Kindergarten – 5th Grade reading levels, for drop-off in Aunt Dealy’s Cottage upon arrival.

During the Holiday Season, Körner’s Folly is open for self-guided tours Tuesday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, with the last entry at 3:00 pm. Tickets available for purchase on-site inside Aunt Dealy’s Cottage (cards only), or advance purchase at www.kornersfolly.org. Körner’s Folly is CLOSED on Mondays, and on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Please call (336) 996-7922 for accessibility information or ticketing assistance. Regular updates posted on Facebook and Instagram @KornersFolly.

The Körner’s Folly Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of Körner’s Folly for the education and enjoyment of the public, welcoming over 10,000 visitors a year for tours, field trips, and educational programs.

 

Christmas Decorating In Progress

Please be advised that during the month of November (November 1-23, 2022), volunteers are decorating Körner’s Folly for our holiday season.  We are still open for tours, but the house may not be at its finest with boxes and decorations in each room.  Tours are not discounted at this time. We officially open for the holiday season on Friday, November 25 @ 10am.

To read about all our holiday offerings, please click here for holiday tours & events.

Hurricane Ian: Oktoberfest Cancellation

Due to the severe weather conditions forecasted for Saturday, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Oktoberfest scheduled for this Saturday, October 1, 2022.

Hurricane Ian is forecasted to bring heavy rainfall this weekend, along with the potential for high winds and flooding. While we have advertised this event as “rain or shine,” we feel the situation is beyond normal rain event conditions.

We have explored alternate options, such as renting a tent or moving to an indoor location, but due to the severe weather forecast, we have concerns about safety as well as comfort. We also discussed postponing the event to a later date, but unfortunately are unable to secure enough food and beverage sponsors to make for the fun and robust event you are looking forward to. With these considerations in mind, we believe the only responsible decision is to cancel the event.

Please know this decision was the result of much deliberation. Oktoberfest is our main fundraiser of the year, with all event ticket sales and sponsorships going directly to benefit our continued operation and restoration of Körner’s Folly. This event is so important to Körner’s Folly because it helps us keep our doors open year-round to the public for tours, events, and educational programming. We are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic and mandatory closures in 2020, so this decision was not taken lightly. That being said, the safety, security and best interests of our patrons and sponsors are the critical factors in this decision.

We will convert your ticket purchase into an annual membership, or in the event you already have an annual membership, we will gladly convert it to a recipient of your choice. I know many of you were looking forward to touring Körner’s Folly for the first time, or touring again to see our restoration progress as part of this event. Our annual membership program allows for one year of unlimited tours. To apply your ticket purchase to an annual membership, please reply to this email or call the office.

We will also apply refunds to those who request it. Though we have advertised event tickets as non-refundable, due to these extenuating circumstances we will offer refunds to anyone who purchased tickets. If you would like a refund, please call the office at (336) 996-7922 by October 15, 2022. The person who purchased original tickets will need to call, and provide their billing address zip code, and last 4 digits of the card used to make the original purchase.

I would like to thank you each for your continued support of Körner’s Folly. Without your support we would never be able to hold this fundraiser. I hope you will each consider joining us again for next year’s Oktoberfest. For future events, we will establish a rain wash-out date for highly unexpected situations such as these.

I would like to say a special thank you to all of our event sponsors. They represent many fantastic companies, restaurants, breweries, and wineries in and around Kernersville. Please be sure to support these local businesses who contribute so much to our community:

Presenting Sponsors:
Apple Payne Law, PLLC
Backyard Leisure
Carmine’s Import Service
Chrysler, Jeep, Ram Dodge of Kernersville
Planet Fitness

Community Sponsors:
Arbor Ridge and Kerner Ridge
A+ Ready Restrooms
The Brewer’s Kettle
C&H Cafeteria
Cake & All Things Yummy
Carolina Kitchen & Pantry
Caudill’s Commercial Electric
Coltrane & Grubbs
Edward Jones – Doug Duvall
Edward Jones – Larry Redfearn
Edward Jones – Ryan Tilley
Forsyth County Hospitality Alliance
First Reliance Bank
Folly’s Draft & Snack
Fourth Elm
Fox Rothschild LLP
Gypsy Road Brewing
Hoots Brewing & Brite Boys
J. Pepper’s Southern Grill
Jessup Trucking
Kernersville Brewing Company
Kernersville Magazine
Kernersville Sister City Association
Long Insurance
McDaniel & Company
Musten & Crutchfield
OutWest Steakhouse
The Packaging Source
The Prescott
The Reuben Rink Company
Robinson & Lawing
Renee Rogers
The Sign Resource
Vi & Ray Smith Team at Coldwell Banker Advantage
Solace IT Solutions
Stardust Cellars
State Farm Insurance-Kevin Bugg
Curtis & Tina Swisher
Jim & Mary Taylor
Tex-Tech Coatings
Veritas Construction
Visit Winston Salem
Wilson-Covington Construction Co.
Sue & Brock Williams
John and Bobbie Wolfe

On behalf of the Körner’s Folly Foundation, please accept my sincere apologies about this cancellation. If you have any questions, feel free to call the office at (336) 996-7922.

Vintage Market at Körner’s Folly

Körner’s Folly is seeking vendors for the Vintage Market on Saturday, August 13, 2022, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. A juried market featuring the best local, handmade, and vintage items for sale, over 1000 shoppers enjoyed Vintage Market in the spring of 2022.

Vintage Market Vendor Fee is $50.

Apply below – applications due by July 8, 2022.

If accepted, vendors will then be sent a link to pay the fee.

Rain date for this event will be Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Questions? Email Suzanna Ritz, Operations & Programs Manager, at suzanna@kornersfolly.org.

Use the form below to apply:

Valentine's By Candlelight

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

  • Step 1: Your Contact Information

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Step 2: Choose your date and tickets

  • Children 5 and younger are free.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • Price: $0.00
  • $0.00

  • Step 3: Checkout

Family Fun on Father’s Day Weekend

Join us on for a day of hands-on exploration and learning for children and families on Saturday, June 18, 2022. Participants will enjoy self-guided tours of the 22-room historic house museum, discovering history, art, and architecture with the help of a special scavenger hunt for all ages!

For the first time in over two years, the Körner Family Revue Puppet Show will be performed for the public in the home’s third floor Cupid’s Park Theatre, featuring a lively cast that tells the story of the house and the family who made it a home.

Historic yard games, including badminton and croquet, will be set up on the lawn and ready for play along with a hands-on Sand Archaeology exploration station, plus book readings by local author Jeanie Martin!

Art activities for the young and the young at heart will be set up on the home’s outdoor porches, and the Kernersville-based Circus Daze troupe will be on hand with fabulous face painting. For those who need a little extra glitter, Ms. Karen will be transforming guests at her fantastic fairy hair booth!

Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnics for a lunchtime break, and Frio’s Gourmet Pops will be pulling up to provide refreshing treats for all.

Admission – $10 for Adults, $6 for Children, Under 6 Free. Advance registration strongly recommended – Puppet Show seating is limited.

Stay tuned for ticket link!

The Return of Halloween Mystery Masquerade

Mark your calendars, Kernersville! Our Victorian Parlor Series: Murder Mystery Masquerade returns on October 28, 2022.

Back by popular demand, this evening event offers participants the chance to solve a mystery, show off Victorian-inspired costumes, and party like it’s 1899. Perfect for a Halloween celebration, this party will feature historical refreshments and cocktails. Mingle with ghostly guests and crack the code of a dastardly deed for an unforgettable experience at Körner’s Folly!

Stay tuned for more information and ticket link.

Spring Vintage Market at Körner’s Folly

Posted on | News

Körner’s Folly is seeking vendors for the Spring Vintage Market on Saturday, April 30, 2022, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. A juried market featuring the best local, handmade, and vintage items for sale, over 600 shoppers enjoyed Vintage Market in the spring of 2021.

Vintage Market Vendor Fee is $50.

Apply below – applications due by March 25, 2022.

If accepted, vendors will then be sent a link to pay the fee.

Rain date for this event will be Sunday, May 1, 2022.

Questions? Email Suzanna Ritz, Operations & Programs Manager, at suzanna@kornersfolly.org.

Use the form below to apply:

Valentine's By Candlelight

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

  • Step 1: Your Contact Information

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Step 2: Choose your date and tickets

  • Children 5 and younger are free.
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • Price: $0.00
  • $0.00

  • Step 3: Checkout

Summer Kitchen Restoration Begins at Körner’s Folly, Despite Wintry Weather

Historic Körner’s Folly, 413 S. Main St., is delighted to announce the upcoming restoration of the Summer Kitchen, slated to begin in early February 2022. The Foundation looks forward to returning the Summer Kitchen to its original 1910 appearance, reflecting how the room would have looked at the height of Körner family activity in the home. This effort is made possible through the Historic Preservation Fund, a pass-through grant for historic preservation projects in Certified Government Jurisdictions, administered by the State Historic Preservation Office.

Added to the home in 1910, the Summer Kitchen is the only addition to Körner’s Folly that is not made of brick. The room was built as a secondary kitchen, used primarily during the hot summer months to keep heat from cooking away from the main house; the thin walls and many windows allowed for better ventilation. During the rest of the year, this room was used for food preparation. The large wooden table, original to the room, was used to shell, dry, pit, and can a variety of nuts, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In family documents, the Summer Kitchen is sometimes referred to as “the servants’ dining room;” where the staff the Körner family employed would have taken their daily meals.

In the years since its construction, the Summer Kitchen has weathered severe damage. In the 1940s, tree roots that grew up through the foundation, causing cracks and settling. This foundation damage also caused the wood-paneled walls to separate in areas. The scope of this restoration project includes excavating and re-pouring the concrete foundation and sidewalk around the building, replacing the 1950s-era tile with historically appropriate penny tile, repairing the wooden wall panels, adding insulation to stabilize temperature and humidity levels, and lastly, returning the color scheme back to Jule Körner’s original design.

Though utilitarian in nature, the Summer Kitchen features detailed paneled walls, crown moldings, and fluted classical pilasters. Originally, these intricate design elements were painted in a shade of a pinkish-cream oil paint. The wall panels were a light grey and most cabinet and shelving units were painted black, with the exception of the open shelves, which were painted a rich red hue.

This restoration is projected to be completed in time to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month in May 2022. For interested visitors and virtual viewers alike, the process will be documented on the Körner’s Folly website, social media, and newsletter, to continue to raise awareness of the Foundation’s historic preservation efforts.
Körner’s Folly will remain open while the Summer Kitchen undergoes restoration. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to see historic preservation in action. Visitors are encouraged to ask staff about the restoration process while on tour. Körner’s Folly is open for self-guided tours Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The last tickets are sold at 3 p.m. to allow visitors adequate time to explore and enjoy the historic house museum. Buy tickets here. Learn more about our restoration efforts here.

What Goes Up Must Come Down! Körner’s Folly Closed January 1 – 11

What goes up…must come down! Thank you to everyone who helped make our holiday season so merry and bright, but now it is time to pack away our trees, garlands, and ornaments until next year.

Körner’s Folly will be closed to the public from January 1 to January 11. We will re-open on Wednesday, January 12 for self-guided tours, by appointment only.

Thank you for your patience as we take some time to reset and conduct a deep clean. We look forward to your visit in 2022. In the meantime, fun activities and hands-on crafts can be found in our Online Resource Center, along with vintage recipes, collection close-ups, and virtual exhibits.

 

Christmas at Körner’s Folly

Posted on | News

Christmas at Körner’s Folly

November 26 – December 31, 2021

 

Make it a Christmas to remember by visiting Körner’s Folly during our holiday season! From November 26 through December 31, 2021, we invite you to celebrate a Victorian Christmas by joining us for a historic house tour like no other. Each of the eccentric and elegant Victorian-era home’s twenty-two rooms will be decorated from floor to ceiling, offering a festive and fun experience for visitors of all ages.

Körner’s Folly offers self-guided tours to the public on Tuesdays – Sundays, from 10 am – 4pm,  with the last entry at 3 pm. Self-guided tours take approximately an hour to an hour and a half to complete. After a welcome and orientation by a member of our Visitor Services Staff, visitors embark on their tour, guided by storyboards in each that provide fascinating history and lead to the next stop on the tour.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column]

Tickets for Self-Guided Holiday Tours

Tickets may be purchased online using the link below, or upon arrival at the Körner’s Folly office located in Aunt Dealy’s Cottage, the small white house adjacent to the parking lot.  The last tour tickets of the day are sold at 3pm to ensure adequate time to tour Körner’s Folly. Inside Aunt Dealy’s Cottage, you’ll find the ticketing counter, orientation theater, restroom, and gift shop featuring souvenirs and Victorian-inspired gifts and toys. Körner’s Folly accepts all major credit cards only, no cash.

Planning Board Okays Plan for Visitor Center on South Main

Posted on | News

Planning Board Okays Plan for Visitor Center on South Main
By Duncan McInnes Sports Editor
As Appeared in the Kernersville News 7/15/2021

“The Kernersville Planning Board returned to in person monthly meetings at the Kernersville Municipal Council Chambers on Monday. The previous month’s meeting, the first live, in person meeting in a long time, was held at the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department located at 1180 NC-66 on June 14. Monday’s meeting was the first Planning Board meeting for the new Planning Board members Christina Welch and Scott Sapp.
One of the main items of interest at the meeting was voting to clear the way for construction of the Visitor’s Center and parking lot near Körner’s Folly. This required approving a Zoning Text Amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance, passing a rezoning recommendation and approving a site plan recommendation. The properties in question are located at 401, 411, and 413 South Main Street and contain a total of 2.52 acres. The Town of Kernersville owns approximately 1.24 acres of this property, and Körner’s Folly owns a 0.76-acre parcel and a 0.52-acre parcel. Planning Board Chair Jim Waddell and Vice Chair LuAnn Davis recused themselves from the Zoning Text Amendment, rezoning recommendation and site plan recommendation due to the project being a conflict of interest in their case.

A text amendment was approved on a 6-0 vote to allow buildings in the IP (Institutional and Public) District an additional 10 percent of impervious coverage under the zoning ordinance. In the rezoning case, Dale Pennington, the agent for owner’s petitioner, requested a Single Phase Conditional District rezoning from RS7 & RMU-S (Residential Multifamily, Unrestricted-Special Use District) to IP-C (Institutional & Public Conditional Use) for properties located at 413, 411, and 401 South Main Street. The requested uses for the properties are government offices; museum or art gallery. This request was upheld on a 6-0 vote by the Planning Board. The site plan recommendation was also approved on a 6-0 vote.

The Town of Kernersville and the Körner’s Folly Foundation currently have an agreement to build a visitor’s center at this site. One new 5,000 sq. ft. building is slated to be constructed to be utilized for a Visitor’s Center for the Körner’s Folly museum. The property will have associated on-site parking, an associated on-site outdoor sidewalk area and access to the adjacent museum property. Parking will be available for 47 cars and three buses.
Under the site plan, the Körner’s Folly Visitor’s Center will redevelop a “gray field,” a site previously developed but underutilized at the present time. The existing gravel areas will be removed on both the parcel owned by the Town of Kernersville and on those owned by the Körner’s Folly Foundation. The rezoning of all three parcels will not only enable the construction of the Visitor’s Center but will clean up the non-conforming residential zoning on the two parcels owned by the Körner’s Folly Foundation. The proposed IP-C zoning will enable the development desired for the museum while protecting adjacent residential properties.

The site is located in the Central Kernersville Overlay District (CKOD). The intent of the CKOD is to incorporate historical architectural design features to blend new construction with historic downtown Kernersville. Körner’s Folly is a grandfathered use within the RS7 zoning district. The proposed rezoning would allow for it to come into compliance and be complemented by the Visitor’s Center. The design proposed with this conditional use district is based on the Körner’s Folly architectural details. It will include a steeply pitched roof with flat wings, arched brick pilasters, brick corbels, and paired columns on brick piers as the support for a rear-elevation loggia.
The site will be connected to the sidewalk on South Main Street for additional pedestrian connectivity. The primary path between the Visitor’s Center and the museum will be a private path between the two buildings.
The next Kernersville Planning Board meeting will be held on August 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Kernersville Municipal Council Chambers.”

 

Triad Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Honors Dale Pennington, Executive Director

Posted on | News

This program recognizes extraordinary young professionals in the Triad.

Triad Business Leader: Dale Pennington
Age: 34
From: Greensboro
Current city: Summerfield
Education: Bachelor’s in History, Communications, N.C. State University, Master’s in History, Museum Studies, UNC-Greensboro

During her tenure as Executive Director of the Körner’s Folly Foundation, Pennington has overseen a marked increase in visitation and revenue, adding several unique educational programs for families, children, and adults.

Also under her watch, the interior restoration of the ca. 1880 historic house began, with twelve rooms of the home’s twenty-two completely restored, and several in progress currently. She is passionate about historic preservation, a visitor-centered approach to public history, and thoughtful design, which is apparent in the restoration efforts she has overseen.

Pivoting adroitly during the last year to focus on these restoration projects, while creating low to no cost virtual exhibits, resources, and programming for the community, Pennington has led the organization’s effort to remain connected and relevant during the COVID pandemic.

Pennington believes strongly that in order for the Triad to better retain young and talented professionals, there must be a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape, competitive family leave policies, great educational opportunities for children, and strong mentorship programs for emerging professionals.

Pennington’s most meaningful volunteer activity is assisting with mock job interviews for master’s candidates from the UNCG Department of History, creating connections while sharing her experience with these graduating students.

To combat the “quarantine blues” over the past year, Dale has taken up embroidery, inspired by the handiwork of the women who lived at Körner’s Folly to create modern-day designs using a needle and thread. Pennington even pioneered an embroidery program at Körner’s Folly, inviting participants both beginning and advanced to create holiday-themed pieces in the Victorian tradition.