Moses H. Cone was known as the 'Denim King' for his success in producing denim for Levi Strauss & Co.
The interior of the manor features original wainscoting and fireplaces despite the facility's repurposing as a craft center.
The estate once included a private apple orchard that contained over 30,000 trees.
The property is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,600 feet, which helped provide a cool summer retreat during the Gilded Age.
The carriage trails were designed specifically for smooth, wide access for horses and carriages, rather than mountain hiking.
The manor's original floor plan included a bowling alley in the basement, a luxury item for private residences in 1901.
Moses Cone Manor, also known as Flat Top Manor, is a 13,000-square-foot Colonial Revival estate built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone in 1901. It serves as the primary craft center for the Southern Highland Craft Guild, showcasing regional Appalachian artistry. The 20-room mansion stands on a 3,500-acre estate that now functions as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway's Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Visitors can tour the first floor, which features rotating exhibits of contemporary and traditional crafts from mountain artists. The property includes a network of 25 miles of carriage trails originally developed for equestrian use. The architecture reflects the era's grand summer homes, featuring a massive porch overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. Much of the surrounding property remains an active landscape reflecting the original estate's agricultural roots.
The wide white porch overlooking the sprawling front lawn and the mountain silhouettes.
Wear comfortable walking shoes if you plan to explore the carriage trails departing from the manor lawn.
Check the Southern Highland Craft Guild website before arrival to see which artists are demonstrating their craft on-site.
Bring a windbreaker even in summer, as the mountain elevation results in significantly cooler temperatures than the surrounding valleys.
Attempting to walk the carriage trails in improper footwear or expecting the entire mansion to be accessible for tours, as only the ground floor is public.
Closed during the winter months; operations typically run from spring through late autumn.
Maintain quiet voices inside the craft center, as it is a working gallery; keep dogs on a leash on the grounds.
