Page 90 - MOST RECENT

One of Kernersville's sport- Polly Alice Masten
ing young men in 1930. Korner (Mrs. J. Gil-
George Fontaine, then a mer Korner) seated at
member of the Highway Pa- her desk in her bed-
trol, later a Deputy Sheriff room in Korner's Fol-
of Forsyth County from 1935- ly 1908.
1963.

Amateur and professional theatricals were enjoyed
over the years. Mrs. Jule Komer organized the Juvenile
Lyceum for the children of the community and later
adults performed also. Mr. Jule turned t~e top floor of
Korner's Folly into a theatre in 1897. Kernersville is
proud to claim this as the first Little Theatre group in
the United States. The Komer's daughter, Mrs. Lan
Donnell recalled, "The idea of having a Little Theatre
did not come to my mother full blown. It came as a
result of a desire to give hospitality to talent and a
chance of expression in a small Southen1 town. . . How
my mother developed the pioneer ideas of home stage-
craft, with original plays, local casts, dancing, orchestra-
tion, home-painted scenery and homemade costumes, I
do not know. I doubt if she herself could have defined
The ladies of the family take Mr. Frank Kerner, age 91 is, as far as
on a dangerous job. Boyd Staf- can be learned, the oldest living Kerner her urge toward such things."
ford and Lizzie Lowery are hiv- bearing the name. He represents the
ing bees. fourth generation from Joseoh Kerner. The famous lyceum and Chatauqua groups came
His father wa Richard P. Kerner, his
grandfather was John Frederick Kerner to Kernersville on several occasions and would stay for
and his great-grandfather was Joseph.
This picture was made in 1900.
three or four days, giving performances in a tent or in
the schoolhouse. Over the years womanless weddings
and numerous other dramatic performances took place
also. It is recalled that during a memorable production
of East Lynne at least one member of the audience had
to be led from the auditorium in hysterics. The villain
had proved too much for her!

This house on South Main Street was built in the 1880.'s by Elias
Kerner Huff, who was named for Dr. Elias Kerner. Mr. Huff worked for
the Reubin Rink Decorating Company doing decorative work. Much of
the house has the same decor as Korner's Folly. Shown beside the house
is the band office. Mr. Huff organized the first band in Kernersville. Mrs.
Cary Ragland, a daughter 83 years of agl', was born in this house and
resides there now. A son, Mr. Charlie Huff, 86 years of age lives on
Salisbury Street.