[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 11760]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2000
                             KORNER'S FOLLY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Mack). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a unique historic home 
located in Kernersville in North Carolina's fifth district. It is 
called Korner's Folly.
  Some folks call Korner's Folly the strangest house ever built. Others 
say they are amazed at its resemblance to a small castle one would more 
likely find on the banks of the Rhine River. Everyone is certain that 
few houses equal its unique nature.
  Upon entering the building, one walks past the ``witch's corner'' 
which is complete with fireplace and chimney. Soon, however, one learns 
that he or she is welcome as the house is square with entrances on each 
side for visitors to come and go as they wish.
  Built first as a carriage house with stables, bachelor's quarters and 
studio, Korner's Folly stands proudly on Main Street in Kernersville, 
North Carolina. It was built by Jules Gilmer Korner, an artist and 
interior designer, who is credited with painting Bull Durham Tobacco 
signs in many areas of the country.
  Although 1880 is given as the completion date, Mr. Korner's zeal for 
decorating and altering the house is evident. The stables were soon 
turned into a library. The reception, or ballroom, on an upper level 
with a 20-foot ceiling is decorated with fresco-type pictures and 
features two magnificent fireplaces. At the very top, one is amazed to 
find a theater named Cupid's Park for the paintings of cherubs on the 
ceiling. With 22 rooms, which have ceiling heights from under 6 feet to 
over 20 feet, a tour brings many surprises and attests to the 
creativity of the builder.
  This unique building was saved from deterioration in 1971 by a group 
of public-spirited Kernersville citizens who purchased it and began the 
process of preservation and restoration. They understood the importance 
of preserving this unique building as the cornerstone for tourism in 
the town of Kernersville. They later gave it to the North Carolina 
Historical Preservation Society which organized Korner's Folly, 
Incorporated, in order to continue its preservation.
  The home now serves as a wonderful museum and a great place to visit. 
As the words inscribed on the sidewalk by Mr. Korner say, ``Come in, 
you are at home.''
  I am proud that Korner's Folly is located in Kernersville, North 
Carolina, and in the Fifth Congressional District which I now 
represent.

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