A Road Trip To Korner's Folly
Spontaneous road trips can be the best escapes. When you find a place you’re intrigued to visit, hit the road if possible. That’s what we did. Don’t overthink it, just go!
While researching local attractions & events, I came across Korner’s Folly in Kernersville, NC. A huge but quirky house museum with so much history. This place attracts visitors from all over & on a seriously cold & blustery Sunday, it called to us.
The house was built in 1880 by an artist & designer named Jule Gilmer Körner. He built it to serve as a portfolio for showing off his skills. Show off it definitely does!
The architecture is amazing with beautiful staircases & rooms so varied in size, they’re reminiscent of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The aging of the home can be seen in the walls, ceilings, & woodwork. It can be felt & heard in creaky floorboards & stairways. You’ll be reminded of times past when you get a glimpse of the typewriter, sewing machine, & articles of clothing once worn by the home’s inhabitants.
It is now #BlackHistoryMonth & as it relates to the Körner family, I was intrigued to find that the family members were Quakers & never owned slaves. Learn the story of Clara Körner, born a slave in 1820. She found freedom & family with the Körners. Such an intriguing story!
It’s also especially fascinating to learn of Mr. Jule Gilmer Körner, his wife Polly, & how much the home changed with their tastes/needs as the family grew. To get the full story, you’ll have to visit & immerse yourself in touring the home. If you’d like to virtually tour with us, check out our vlog, Touring Korner’s Folly.
See an array of photos from our visit below.
Have you toured Korner’s Folly? If so, what did you think of it? If you haven’t been, we suggest adding it to your list.
Know Before You Go…
A casual tour takes about an hour. If you plan to read the story of each room, take photos, & admire each unique space, you’ll need more time. Plan accordingly.
Getting around is an intricate process even for the able-bodied. If you are disabled or plan to visit with someone who is, I suggest calling ahead of time to inquire about accommodations & ease of access.
Whether you’re visiting as a family, student, teacher, or group, the website offers many educational downloads to prepare you for your visit (puzzles, coloring pages, trivia, crafts). There are also scavenger hunts available online & on site.
Explore the website before you explore the property. There are many cool but relevant facts to discover & things you’ll want to know before your arrival.
There is an on-site gift shop & restroom for your convenience. (I’m not referring to the outhouse btw!).
Considering our visit was spontaneous & on a late Sunday afternoon, we weren’t able to explore Kernersville but we visited a local restaurant. There were quite a few options to choose from & most of the eateries were within a couple of miles of Korner’s Folly. My family chose to dine at the Palenque Mexican Grill. The food was good & flavorful. The service was great, too.
Korner’s Folly
413 South Main St.
Kernersville, NC
(336) 996-7922
