by Meg Reed and Dale Pennington

Phase I: Front, North, and South Porch Restoration
Completed July – October 2012

Phase II: Foundation Stabilization and Restoration
Completed January – March 2013

Phase III: Roof and Chimney Restoration
In progress! May – October 2014

Over the last two years, Körner’s Folly has received unprecedented support from the Kernersville community.  Since the kickoff of our Operation Restoration challenge campaign in 2012, the Körner’s Folly Foundation has made huge strides towards preserving Kernersville’s beloved historic landmark for future generations.

Now, thanks to the help of generous donors, the Foundation has accomplished an incredible feat.  Having raised over $500,000, the final stage of Operation Restoration is about to begin – Körner’s Folly is getting a brand new roof!

The new roof is just in time.  This season unparalleled winter weather swept across the nation.  Historic homes and properties were particularly susceptible to winter storm damage; from frozen pipes to downed power lines, and broken tree limbs, historic Körner’s Folly was no exception.  January’s freezing temperatures caused a water pipe to freeze and burst, flooding the home’s summer kitchen.  March’s round of snow and ice created problematic leaks on the home’s weathered roof, exacerbating existing problems.  The roof restoration will take approximately three to six months to complete, finishing up by November 2014, just in time to protect the house for next winter.

The current roof and chimney restoration is the single largest restoration project in Körner’s Folly’s history.  The red tin roof that currently tops Körner’s Folly was installed in 1954 to replace the original brown, chestnut shingled roof.  Now, 60 years later, the tin has weathered significant damage and poses a threat to the 22 historic rooms of Körner’s Folly. The restoration process will include not only replacing the Folly’s red iconic roof with a new, eco-friendly, and historically appropriate replica, but also includes installing insulation and vapor barriers, repairing flashing, water spouts, soffits, and fascia, and rerouting water from the roof to the gutters.  The roof restoration also includes repositioning, stabilizing, and recapping the house’s six chimneys.  The chimneys are actively causing moisture-related damage and are a major point of weakness from a structural standpoint.  Although there are fifteen fireplaces inside Körner’s Folly, there are only six chimneys, which are connected by flues within the walls and fireplaces of Jule’s home.  Jule Körner built this intricate flu system, which allows the roof to appear less cluttered with chimneys, but over time the flu systems have deteriorated, and the chimneys have suffered from age and weather damage.

The restoration of the roof and chimneys is a particularly important goal of Operation Restoration because the leaking roof has prevented any interior restoration for decades.  Jule Körner built Körner’s Folly to display his design collection—a collection remarkably intact within the original structure.  Years of water and weather damage, however, have drastically faded its Victorian splendor.  The beautifully painted ceiling murals and the painted plaster walls have deteriorated and are in need of repair. For years, the Foundation has researched and prepared to restore the interior of Jule’s home, however, the capacity for interior restoration has always been dependent on first stabilizing the exterior structure.

Although the roof work starts this May, Körner’s Folly will remain open for normal tour hours.  Do not let the scaffolding and construction materials deter you from visiting Jule Körner’s Victorian masterpiece!  Stop by and see the restoration work first-hand, and learn about how stabilizing the structure will aid in the long-term preservation of this Kernersville landmark.  This will be a unique time to learn about historic preservation while on tour.

Lastly, but certainly not least, a particular thank-you is deserved to all those who have supported the Körner’s Folly Foundation and contributed to this amazing endeavor.  Without the help of our donors Körner’s Folly would not stand to marvel and educate future generations—and for that, the Foundation is truly grateful.

Making a tax-deductible donation is the best way to help preserve one of North Carolina’s most notable historic icons.  Any donations received above our $500,000 goal will contribute to the interior restoration of Körner’s Folly.  To donate, please contact Dale Pennington, Executive Director at 336-996-7922 or Director@KornersFolly.org.  You can also send donations to P.O. Box 2091, Kernersville, NC 27285.  Körner’s Folly is open for self-guided tours Thursdays through Saturdays (10am – 4pm) and Sundays (1 – 4pm).  Guided group tours are available by appointment.