The pergola at Körner’s Folly has long served as a quiet threshold between house and garden as a place of shade, structure, and seasonal gathering. Over time, weather and wear have taken their toll.

This May, in recognition of Historic Preservation Month, we are undertaking a focused effort to restore the pergola and its pathway to ensure that it remains part of the Folly’s living landscape for years to come.

According to Körner family documents, the pergola began its life as part of the children’s playhouse before being repurposed as the entry to the carriage house and stable complex, which was lost in 1963 to demolition. The pergola was subsequently moved to its current location on the lawn to the rear of Körner's Folly. What remains today is not just an architectural feature, but a fragment of the Folly’s working landscape, one that depends on ongoing care to endure. In the image below of the stables taken around 1905, the pergola can be seen on the right side of the image (with Jule himself leaning against one of the supports).

What Your Gift Supports:

Structural stabilization and repair of the pergola and its unique features, including masonry piers, wood columns, barrel-vaulted roof, knee braces, and fish-scale shingles
Non-historic concrete pathway removal and subgrade correction
Installation of new slate step stones to connect with existing pathways
Ongoing preservation planning for the Folly grounds

On Thursday, June 4, we will gather for the Party for the Pergola to enjoy a garden evening of music, food, and shared support for this project. Whether you attend or give from afar, your contribution directly supports this work.

In addition to a leadership gift of $1,000, gifts will be matched up to an additional $2,000 by the Kernersville Historic Preservation Society. We invite you to join us in caring for the structures that represent Jule Körner's vision come to life!

Restore the Pergola at Körner’s Folly

A Historic Preservation Month project supporting the care and continuity of the Folly grounds