By Dale Pennington

Are you looking for some good, old-fashioned, family fun this summer? Well look no further than Main Street in Kernersville! Historic Körner’s Folly, 413 South Main Street, is hosting the inaugural Körner’s Folly Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 23, 2016 (10am – 4pm). Sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winston-Salem and The Kids Clubhouse, Family Fun Day will feature a variety of historic games, hands-on activities, and excitement for all ages!

Held on the lawn, porches, and inside Historic Körner’s Folly, at Family Fun Day visitors will have the opportunity to play historic games and learn about Victorian traditions, while participating in hands-on activities and crafts. This interactive event is the perfect way to learn about this interesting period in American history. Ever heard of a thaumatrope? Want to try your hand at archeology? Need to learn to be more graceful? These are all activities to explore during Family Fun Day.

The North lawn will host “Sand Archeology” and a variety of historical games such as: Grace Hoops, Croquet, Checkers, Pick-Up Sticks, and Clothes Pin Drop. You can also make your own historical toys–thaumatropes and yarn dolls. A thaumatrope, a two sided disk with a picture on each side and attached to a stick or string, was a popular Victorian toy. When spun quickly between your hands, the two pictures blend into one, creating an optical illusion. Making dolls was also another popular American pastime. Since the 1700s, homemade dolls have been made from a variety of easy-to-find items such as clothespins, cornhusks, rags, and yarn. In addition to these games and crafts, from 10am-3pm, Körner’s Folly will be open for self-guided tours.

Children and adults are invited to explore the historic house through the eyes of the Körner family. To assist visitors in discovering all the unique and exciting aspects of Körner’s Folly, children are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt and discover the “Please Touch” baskets as they explore the house. “Please Touch” baskets offer hands-on activities to enjoy while on tour. Actors and actresses from Kernersville Little Theater will be stationed through the house and grounds dressed in period costumes. “Docents in costumes and authentic historical games will really make you feel like you are traveling back in time to the Victorian period, right in the heart of Kernersville, North Carolina,” says Kristin Miller, Körner’s Folly Site Manager. “Inscribed in the sidewalk in front of the Körner’s Folly is “Come in. You are at home.” We invite you to ‘come in,’ see the unique building Jule created, and join us for some good old-fashioned family fun!” continues Kristin.

We are also very excited to debut a brand new puppet show, Aesop’s Fabulous Fables, which is on loan from Old Salem Museums and Gardens. There will be two showings offered at 10:30am and 1:30pm. Seating for the puppet show is limited and advanced reservations are recommended.

Körner’s Folly was constructed between 1878 and 1880 by Jule Körner. Created as a catalogue home for his interior design and decorating company, Jule spent the rest of his life constantly renovating and updating the house to meet the needs of his business and family. During this process the house transformed from 11 rooms over three stories to 22 rooms over seven levels, with ceilings ranging from five and half feet to 25 feet high.

The top level of Körner’s Folly holds Cupid’s Park Theater, believed to be the oldest private theater in America. This area hosted the Juvenile Lyceum, a children’s theater group organized by Jule’s wife, Polly Alice. The Lyceum was used by Polly Alice to educate the children of Kernersville. They performed a wide variety of productions, ranging from Shakespeare to unique performances built around current events. The debut of our new puppet show Aesop’s Fabulous Fables is particularly fitting, as Polly Alice read these stories to her own children to teach important lessons. It is exciting to carry on this legacy of performance and education for children in Cupid’s Park Theater.

Looking for more events at Körner’s Folly? Stop by on Saturday, August 27 from 9am – 2pm for the annual Home Grown Arts Festival hosted by the Kernersville Arts and Crafts Guild.  Local artisans will set up on the lawn of Körner’s Folly to showcase and sell their creations.  Visit for the festival and stay for a tour of the historic house.  The Home Grown Arts Festival is free to attend.  Regular Admission applies to tours of Körner’s Folly.

Can’t make it on July 23? No worries, Körner’s Folly is open year-round for self-guided tours Wednesdays-Saturdays (10am – 4pm) and Sundays (1 – 4pm). Stop by for a tour, you have got to see it to believe it! For tickets, reservations, and event information please call 336-996-7922 or visit www.KornersFolly.org.

Want to get involved? We are always looking for new volunteers to help with our events. Please call 336-996-7922 or visit www.KornersFolly.org for information.