Moses H. Cone Memorial Park - Milepost 294

Enjoy the sweeping, scenic view of Moses Cone Memorial Park from the porch of Flat Top Manor. Harold Blackwood photo   Welcome to the Summer Home of Moses and Bertha Cone Textile magnate Moses H. Cone built this summer retreat with his wife, Bertha, at the turn of the 20th century. In 1949, the family donated the estate, which is listed on the Register of Historic Places, to the National Park Service. Visit Flat Top Manor and estate, now known as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, for the perfectly curated and winding carriage trails, historic manor, and Southern Highland Craft Guild craft shop. Learn more about the Cone family.   Changes Coming! Over the next few years, you will see some changes occurring at Flat Top Manor. Visitors will soon be able access areas of the house which were previously closed to the public, such as the kitchen and the butler's pantry. New exhibits about the family and the estate will be installed in the manor house. Short films about the Cones and their lives will be shown in the dining room. Exhibits with maps of the carriage trails will be installed on the estate grounds. The exterior of the home will be rehabilitated to preserve the structure and maintain the character of the building. This will include repairing the roof, and replacing balustrades, siding, windows, and doors. Historic stone retaining walls located near the manor house will be rehabilitated. All of these projects are a result of a 10-year planning effort with input from the public. These projects are possible through partnerships between the National Park Service, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Eastern National, and Appalachian State University.   Ranger-led programs of Flat Top Manor are available in the summer months. At a Glance Visitor Center Historic estate with manor and grounds Hiking trails Southern Highlands Craft Guild shop Ranger-led tours and open houses offered in summer and fall   Points of Interest: Visitor Center: Visit Flat Top Manor to talk with a ranger, browse the craft shop, or take a tour of the second floor. Open seasonally; check the opening schedule for specific dates. Sleeping and Eating: Moses Cone Memorial Park has no sleeping or eating options. See nearby towns for accommodations. On the Parkway, Julian Price Park is nearby for camping. Things to Do: Tour the Manor with a Ranger: Ranger-led tours of the second floor of Flat Top Manor are conducted seasonally; check the event calendar for more information. Explore the Grounds: A family cemetery, carriage, and apple orchard are all open to the curious. Please stay on all paths and Leave No Trace. Hike a Carriage Trail: Moses Cone carefully curated 25 miles of carriage trails for gentle curves and magnificent views. Although partially overgrown with time, these carriage trails are a great way to step back in history and enjoy nature at the same time. Learn more about the Moses Cone hiking trails.