19 C. MANSION, KORNER’S FOLLY IN NORTH CAROLINA, IS A BUSY PLACE

A well-restored 19 C. mansion, this unusual and unique home was built in the 1870s by a dapper young gentleman named Jule Korne.  He was an artist, designer and architect known for his Bull Durham cigarette ads painted on buildings throughout the south. The house was meant to be a home, and included an artist’s studio, office, recreational hall and ballroom, carriage house and stables.  The stables later became a library and sewing room.

Every square inch of the entry foyer including the ceiling has ornamentation.  There are 22 rooms on 3 floors with seven levels, many with hidden nooks and crannies.  Ceiling heights range from 5’ in the children’s rooms to 25’ in the attic, where there is a theatre.  The house contains 15 differently styled fireplaces, many peculiar cubbyholes and trap doors.  All doorways vary. Windows pivot and other openings create a clever air ventilation system, done many years before the advent of modern air-conditioning.  Beautilful tile and woodworking abound along with decorative murals by German master Caesar Milch.  Korners Folly was a name given to the mansion by Korner when his cousin called it by that name.

Korner’s wife loved the performing arts. She kept the Mansion open  to children for games and activities, hired a music teacher and bought instruments for the children to use.  Plays were given in the attic to which the entire community was invited. The Theatre is now considered the first private little theatre in the country.   The property is owned by a non-profit foundation and open to the public for walk-in tours year round.   There is a gift shop on the premises. Call (336)-996-7922 for additional information.