Operation Restoration

Learn more and follow along during major interior restoration projects, including the North Entrance and Stairway and the Master Bedroom.

Here we will post exciting updates on the work, interesting trivia, and more. As of 2022, 14 of Körner’s Folly’s 22 rooms have been restored.  New rooms are being restored each year.  Each project brings unique and exciting information. Follow along with our progress as we continue Operation Restoration.

January 2022 – Summer Kitchen Restoration

March 2021 – Historic Wallpaper Books

April 2020 – Jule’s Stairway Murals Uncovered!

With any major change to the house, there is always a chance for a discovery – and today we were not disappointed. As part of the North Stairway restoration, wooden wainscoting was removed from the plaster walls for repair and replacement. While we knew that Jule had at one time painted part of the stairway, (and have preserved the best example of this work under glass) we were delighted to uncover more evidence!

Jule painted the entire stairway with murals in 1885-1886 using a style influenced by Japanese woodblock prints and featuring a variety of native and exotic birds, flowers, and trees, with stylized fan motifs and decorative borders. These murals were based on sketches Jule made during his travels to Florida and Louisiana. As so often happened with Jule’s designs, he switched it up, and decided to cover the murals with the wooden paneled wainscoting visible today.

Check out the photos below for a closer look:

Körner’s Folly Historic Color Analysis: Hue Wants to Know More?

With Historic Körner’s Folly undergoing major interior restorative work, it is the perfect time to share what the restoration process to return this Victorian treasure to its prime looks like. Restoration, as defined by the National Park Service, is the process of “depicting the form, features, and character of a property at a particular period of time.”  One of the most important steps in this process is determining the historically appropriate color schemes. While Jule Körner built Körner’s Folly from 1878-1880, restoration centers on the house’s 1897-1905 appearance, when the house was at the height of family activity. Over the last 140 years, as with any house, the interior appearance has changed dramatically, making it difficult to determine the color scheme in our chosen restoration time-period.

The solution was surprisingly scientific! Between May and November of 2016, David R. Black, AIA/APT, conducted a comprehensive study of the paint colors in Körner’s Folly. His work resulted in an historic finish analysis that was key in concluding both the rooms’ color schemes and materials. He began by taking more than 400 samples from representative elements of wood trim, doors, window sash, and wall and ceiling plaster. From there, he evaluated the samples under a binocular microscope, created a chronology of colors for each room, and matched them with the Munsell Universal Color System. Through this analysis, Black discovered that Jule changed it up a lot! The renovating, reworking, and redecorating of the Folly resulted in varying compositions for each room – many having four to five different color cycles. Thankfully, with Black’s color chronologies, we now know the Folly’s 1897-1905 color schemes, aiding our restoration progress.

The Rose Room, Jule Körner’s daughter Doré’s room, was the first to undergo serious interior restoration work in 2014. With the historic finish analysis, we identified the exact colors of the room when it was occupied by Doré, giving us an appropriate color palette for other objects and patterns in the room. Jule renovated the room for Doré around 1905, when she was 16 years old, converting the guest bedroom to her own space. We learned that Doré’s father customized the room especially for her: he added floral trim to the existing silk wall panels; the room was changed from mint green to a light rose color; matching rose fireplace tiles were laid, and custom build in cabinets and a dresser were added.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]The Rose Room is just one example of how the interior historic finishes analysis improves our understanding of Jule’s eclectic house. The Körner’s Folly Foundation intends on restoring all twenty-two rooms in Körner’s Folly to their original color scheme and Victorian grandeur. In the meantime, we are delighted to share a little more details about the behind-the-scenes work in this significant and long overdue restoration.

If you would like to help us restore the house, consider becoming a member of the Körner’s Folly Foundation, or make a tax-deductible donation.  Contributions to interior restoration can be made online through our donation page.

Collection Close-up

Looking for a deeper dive into history on your virtual field trip? Körner’s Folly is home to hundreds of Jule Körner’s original furnishings, paintings, and objects. We are fortunate that Jule designed the Folly’s furnishings on such a grand scale — without the benefit of their sheer size, many pieces might have been lost to time during the house’s many repurposes and various occupants — that most of the large pieces of furniture are too big to remove from the house! Today, an estimated 90% of the furnishings in the house are original, and add to our understanding of Jule’s design process, aesthetic, and the needs and wants of the typical upper-middle-class Victorian estate.

The Körner’s Folly Foundation collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts and materials pertaining to Körner’s Folly, the Körner family, and Kernersville’s history for visitors to understand and appreciate today’s town through a knowledge of its past through exhibits, interpretive rooms, and educational programs.

Here we will spotlight a wide variety of items in our historical collection, from the mundane to the extravagant.  We believe each object shapes our understanding of what it was like to live in the Piedmont of North Carolina during the Victorian Era.

Coverlet

Check out this beautiful, woven coverlet that was passed down through Polly Alice‘s family, the Mastens. It is believed to have been woven between 1835-1845. Coverlets were woven on a loom and usually made of wool and cotton. The wool was generally hand-spun and dyed with natural dyes (purple and black in this case). The cotton was most often machine-spun and left undyed (as seen in the cream sections here). They were used as the top most bed-covering, particularly to add another
layer of decoration and extra warmth in the colder months of the year. Designs were often repeating geometric patterns created by a second or third weft. Specific designs were often handed down through family members and shared within communities like a good recipe.

Körner Family Christmas Cards

This collection of Christmas Cards were received by the Körner family in the early 20th century.

Did you know the first Christmas card was sent in 1843? It was created by Henry Cole, who wanted to send his acquaintances something different from his usual Christmas letter. By the late 1800s, advances in printing technology made Christmas cards more readily available, growing in popularity. Early Christmas cards usually contained images of flowers and animals. Collecting and displaying greeting cards became a very popular Victorian pastime.

On Christmas Day 1914, Gilmer Körner remarked that the weather was “cold and disagreeable” but that he received a “great many cards from friends.”

In 1915, the Hall Brothers Company, which later changed its name to Hallmark, printed the first 4 X 6 folded cards inserted into an envelope. This gave people more space (and privacy) to write than traditional postcard style Christmas cards. These became the first “greeting cards” as we know them as today.

Punch-tin Lantern

Aunt Dealy would have used this lantern on her daily walks back and forth between her house and Körner’s Folly, in the dark early morning, and late evening hours.

Lamps made out of tin and punched with holes date back centuries, and were especially popular in the American Colonial Era (late 1700s and early 1800s). They were a practical way to carry lit candles. The holes punched into the lanterns helped display light, and at the same time, the lantern surround kept the flame from being blown out by the wind.

Traditional tin lamps were often made out of recycled metal such as old cans and stovepipes. They were then customized with beautiful and intricate designs made of dots and dashes “punched” into the metal using a hammer and nail. Notice the radial sunburst pattern featured on Aunt Dealy’s lantern. It resembles a sunrise or sunset – the time-of-day Aunt Dealy would have been using this lantern.

Looking for a craft project this winter? You can make your own punch-tin lantern with a few items at home, with the help if an adult. You will need an empty metal can, of any size, like a coffee can or vegetable can, as well as a hammer, nail, and marker. Mark out your designs on your empty can, and then gently tap the nail with the hammer to punch the holes. Be careful – it will be sharp! Then place a small candle in the can, and you now have your own punch-tin lantern!

Witches’ Corner

The European tradition of the “witches’ corner” dates back several centuries. It is said that guests were asked to put a coin in the witches’ pot as they entered the house. This was to attract the attention of bad witches, spirits and ghosts, luring their attention to the coin in the pot. The guest would then be able to enter the house without bringing along any additional unwanted visitors into the home.

At Körner’s Folly, the Witches’ Corner, located on the Front Porch, features a black cast-iron pot that stays mysteriously full of coins. Jule Körner, who designed the house, most likely drew from his heritage and Germanic traditions. His grandfather, Joseph Kerner, immigrated from Furtwangen, in the Black Forest region of Germany in 1785, no doubt bringing many Old World beliefs with him.

Dore’s Seersucker Dress

This beautiful seersucker and lace dress belonged to Dore Körner (1889-1980). The Southern fabric originated in 1907 when a New Orleans merchant set out to design a lighter-weight suit that could withstand the summer heat, humidity, and sweat. The blue and white fabric was born, named “Seersucker” from the Persian for “milk and sugar” in homage to its textured weave.

Cherry Pitter

This 1860’s cast-iron cherry pitter was used in the Kitchen at Körner’s Folly.  Aunt Dealy  probably relied on this useful tool to help her create one of her signature dishes, a good old-fashioned cherry pie.

During the period between 1840 and 1870, the Industrial Revolution brought about many changes to kitchens. Foundries began making standardized stoves and hearths that made heating and cooking inside easier and safer.  Smaller cast-iron implements were also patented and mass-produced, including cherry pitters, apple peelers, lemon juicers, sausage makers, pea shellers, nut crackers, and more. These tools greatly reduced the need for human workers in the kitchen, and because of this, were sometimes themselves referred to as “servants.”

Calling Card Receiver

This butterfly-shaped calling card receiver was made around 1900 out of cast brass. It originally featured colorful enamel as decoration and was made in the Art Nouveau style.

Art Nouveau is French for “new art”, and was a result of a philosophy that merged nature with design. This decorative style became popular in America between 1890 and 1910, and featured curving lines, organic shapes, animals, plants.

The Körner family would have used this butterfly receiver to store cards, letters, or other correspondence. Calling cards in this time period were way of communicating, to express appreciation, offer condolences, or simply to say hello. If the recipient was not home or not receiving visitors, a servant would accept a calling card, placing it in a tray in the foyer. A tray full of calling cards was the Victorian era’s social media, a way to display who was in one’s social circle. Frequently, the cards of the wealthiest or most influential people were left at the top of the stack to impress other visitors. Calling cards and business cards worked in a very similar fashion.

Cane Chair

Have you ever noticed Aunt Dealy’s original chair, located in Aunt Dealy’s cottage? It was made with a special chair caning technique called porch cane or wide-binding cane. Cane or “wicker” weaving dates back centuries. Some of the earliest cane artifacts ever found include a woven daybed that once belonged to King Tutankhamen, (1325 B. C.). Chair seat weaving, and especially chair caning was practiced in South East Asia, Portugal, France, and England in the mid-1600s, becoming very popular and extensively used throughout the world in 1700-1800s and on into the early 1900s.

For this style of porch cane, seats are woven around the seat dowels of chairs and rockers using very wide (1/4″) strips of cane, forming a double layer of weaving with a pocket inside. You can learn more about the history of chair caning and watch someone weave a seat here (weaving starts at the 23 minute mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkcNL15r2Bk

Vintage Recipes

Here’s a collection of some of our favorite Körner family or Victorian recipes.  Please note, these have not all been tested in a modern kitchen; you made need to look up modern equivalents.  Many of these recipes are from the “Körner’s Folly Cookbook” by Beth Tartan written in 1977.  The “Körner’s Folly Cookbook” provides an unusual blend of Körner’s Folly history, local Kernersville history, and historical recipes. The author, Beth Tartan, was the food editor at the Winston-Salem Journal for many years and wrote many cookbooks that focused on local North Carolina recipes.  It is available for purchase in our gift shop.  Interested in a copy, have questions, or suggestions? Please contact 336-996-7922 or info@kornersfolly.org

If you make any of these recipes, please connect with us online by sharing a photo and tagging @kornersfolly with #cookingwiththekorners

Halloween Pudding

Many Halloween traditions took root in America as Old World immigrants arrived from Scotland and Ireland in the late 1800s. Americans became enthralled with these customs, especially the party snack and game of Halloween Pudding (or Barmbrack Cake as it was known in Ireland, which involved fortune-telling aspects through symbols baked inside the dessert.

Instructions included that a cake be made in complete silence, and after the batter was poured in a pan, several tokens would be hidden inside, including a ring, a coin, a bean, and a button. When served, the cake would be cut into as many pieces as there were guests. Every slice would have been either eaten or “crumbed” until the tokens appeared. The finder of the ring would be assured a quick marriage, the coin would provide wealth, the bean meant poverty or financial difficulty, and the button would foretell a solitary life.

Recipe for Barmbrack Cake:

2 ½ cups chopped dried mixed fruit
1 ½ cups hot brewed black tea
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. baking soda
1 egg
¼ cup lemon or orange marmalade
1 tsp. grated orange zest

1. Soak the dried fruit in the hot tea for 2 hours, then drain and squeeze out extra tea
2. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9” Bundt pan. Stir together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda; set aside.
3. Beat the egg, sugar, marmalade, zest, and fruit until well combined. Gently fold in flour until just combined, then pour into prepared pan.
4. Bake for 1 hour or until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed. Allow to cool 2 hours in pan before removing. Contine to cool to room temperuate on a wire rack. Thoroughly clean objects (avoid copper pennies) before pressing into the cake from the bottom before serving.

Irish Bramback Recipe by Brooke Elizabeth (https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/162072/irish-barmbrack/)

Aunt Dealy’s Corn Cakes

1. 2 C corn meal
2. ½ teaspoon baking soda
3. ½ teaspoon salt
4. 1 ½ C buttermilk, more or less

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.  Form stiff batter into small round balls and flatten into cakes about ½ inch thick.  Grease cast iron skillet with bacon grease or lard; Heat pan over medium-high heat.  When the cakes are brown, flip.  They should rise and be light and happy.  When both sides are brown, whisk the cakes to the table.  Best served hot, topped with molasses.

Polly Alice’s White Chicken Soup

1. ¼ pound cold poultry
2. A blade of mace, pounded
3. ¼ pound of sweet almonds
4. 1 ½ C heavy cream
5. A slice of dry bread
6. Yolks of 2 hard-boiled eggs
7. A shred of lemon peel
8. 2 Quarts of chicken stock

Pound the almonds to a paste with a spoon of water.  Add the meat, which should be pounded together with the bread.  Beat all together.  Add the chopped lemon peel and the mace.  Heat the stock to boiling and pour over the mixture.  Simmer for 1 hour.  Mix the egg yolks with the cream, add to the soup, let boil up, and serve immediately.

The World’s Best Cookie

1. 1 C Butter
2. 1 C Brown Suger
3. 1 C Granulated Sugar
4. 1 egg
5. 1 C Salad Oil
6. 1 tsp vanilla extract
7. 1 C rolled oats, uncooked
8. 1 C crushed cornflakes
9. 1 C shredded coconut
10. 1/2 C chopped pecans
11. 3 1/2 C sifted flour
12. 1 tsp soda
13. 1 tsp salt

Preheat over to 325 degrees. Cream butter and sugars until fluffy, add egg, mix well. Blend in salad oil and vanilla. Add flour, soda, and salt, mixing well. Stir in oats, corn flakes, coconut, and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten with fork dipped in water. Bake 12 minutes until lightly browned around edges. Makes 8 dozen

Recipe adapted for modern cooks by Beth TartanStrawberry Custard Pie

For strawberry season, here’s a classic Körner family recipe to put those berries to good use.

1 pint fresh strawberries
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon flour
2 eggs
1/4 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell, chilled
Butter

Recipe adapted for modern cooks by Beth Tartan

Fried Sweet Potatoes

Peel fresh, raw sweet potatoes and cut into thin slices. Fry in deep or shallow fat. Arrange in a single layer on a platter and sprinkle with sugar. Good served with ham and ham gravy for breakfast.

Word Puzzles

Here are some fun Korner’s Folly inspired word puzzles.  Click on the links below for printable pdfs. You can also play the word search online here.

Questions? Suggestions? Contact info@kornersfolly or call (336) 996-7922.

Here are popular Victorian-inspired coloring projects.  Click on the links below printable pdfs. You can show off your finished projects on social media using #CraftingWithTheKorners!

Questions? Suggestions? Contact info@kornersfolly or call (336) 996-7922.Korner’s Folly is known for its distinctive architecture and design. If you were to decorate the Folly, what colors would you choose?  Not just for kids – everyone can enjoy creating their own interior designs! Victorian color schemes tended to be jewel-toned, dramatic, and extravagant, but you can take artistic license with our downloadable templates. We recommend colored pencils, but any medium will do! Use your imagination to create your own design by using the links below:

Korner’s Folly Witches’ Corner Coloring Page

Foyer Coloring Page

Kitchen Coloring Page

Playroom Coloring Page

Korner’s Folly House Coloring Page

Paper Dolls date back to at least A.D. 900, described in a Japanese ceremony that involved a paper figure and folded paper kimono which were put to sea in a boat. In the 1840’s, boxed paper doll sets were produced in Europe and exported to America for lucky children. These sets featured likenesses of European royalty, including Queen Victoria and renowned ballerina Marie Taglioni. Creating and playing with paper dolls helps children practice manual dexterity, as well as learn about history, fashion and art. You can make your own Victorian-era Paper Dolls using the link below:

Cupid’s Park Theatre, on the 3rd floor of Korner’s Folly, is thought to be the first private little theater in America. It has been home to countless productions by the Korner family, Polly Alice Korner’s Juvenile Lyceum, and other community organizations. Today, The Korner’s Folly Family Revue, a puppet show for families and children, is presented on the 4th Saturday of each month. The puppet show features the story of Korner’s Folly and the people who lived here. You can make your own puppets and create your own puppet show using the links below:

Historical Crafts

Here are popular Victorian-inspired craft projects to add hands-on activities to your virtual field trip!  Click on the link for a printable .pdf complete with a supply list, step-by-step instructions, and photos.  Show off your finished projects on social media using #CraftingWithTheKorners

Questions? Suggestions? Contact info@kornersfolly or call (336) 996-7922.

3D Paper Star

Paper Bead Garland

Decorative Molding Masks

Did you know that Körner’s Folly has over 10,000 feet of decorative molding? These architectural elements sometimes feature faces and figures from literature or mythology.

This year, for Halloween, we’re making masks from some of the faces Jule Körner included in his designs!

3D Hot Air Balloon

In Victorian times, scientists used hot air balloons to measure the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, which they guessed would get colder the higher up. Aeronauts, or hot air balloon pilots, also created maps based on what they could see from up high. Hot air balloon flights were considered a marvelous spectacle, and people who regularly flew them were called “Balloonatics.” You can make your own 3D Hot Air Ballon using the link below:

Button Ring

During the period that the Korner family lived at Korner’s Folly, most families could not afford to buy their children expensive toys, and most towns did not have a toy store. Instead, children would use their imagination to re-purpose items found around the house. Buttons, which came in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes, were frequently used in crafts, games, and toys. You can make your own Button Ring using the link below:

Yarn Dolls

Yarn dolls were made in America as early as the Colonial period from homespun yarn.  Making yarn dolls became a popular pastime, and the yarn doll was listed as a craft activity in one of the earliest Brownie Scout Hand Books. As the Industrial Revolution (1790 – 1830) made yarn widely available, children were encouraged to make their own toys out of the more plentiful supply. You can make your own Yarn Doll using the link below: