06/15/2026
In this corner of the Den, historic craftsmanship is on full display. The restored deep red walls and ornamental woodwork frame a space that once welcomed many family gatherings, quiet reading, and later, Polly Alice Körner’s sewing projects.
This room served a variety of purposes during the family's time at Körner’s Folly. When the stables occupied this section of the house, the space functioned as a tack room. It was later transformed into the Den, a comfortable retreat for reading, conversation, and relaxation. A 1908 article from the Greensboro Daily News described the room as being “large enough to seat six people,” furnished with wicker and leather pieces, including a leather-upholstered boot couch.
Following Jule Körner’s passing in 1924, Polly Alice repurposed the Den as her sewing room. A skilled seamstress and President of the Kernersville Embroidery Guild, she spent countless hours here creating and mending textiles. Today, visitors can still see one of the earliest models produced after Howe invented the first American sewing machine in 1846.
The restoration of the Den, completed in 2018, returned the room to its original appearance through carpentry repairs, furniture refurbishment, and the restoration of its rich red color scheme. From tack room to gathering space to sewing room, the Den reflects the many layers of daily life that unfolded within Körner’s Folly.
