Moses Cone, known as the 'Denim King,' amassed his fortune through the Proximity Manufacturing Company and eventually became one of the largest denim producers in the world.
The estate was designed as a summer retreat and includes a large apple orchard that once contained over 30,000 trees.
The 25 miles of carriage roads were specifically engineered with gentle grades to accommodate horse-drawn carriages.
The Southern Highland Craft Guild, which operates the craft shop, is one of the oldest craft organizations in the United States, founded in 1930.
The manor house features an expansive, wrap-around porch offering panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Moses H. Cone Memorial Park serves as the centerpiece of the 3,500-acre Flat Top Manor estate located along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The site features the 20-room, 13,000-square-foot Colonial Revival manor house built by textile magnate Moses H. Cone in 1901. The estate functions as a hub for Southern Highland craft demonstrations and sales, managed by the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Visitors have access to 25 miles of carriage roads originally designed for horseback riding and carriage travel. The grounds include two man-made lakes, Bass Lake and Trout Lake, connected by a network of trails. The property is currently maintained by the National Park Service as a preserved historical landscape. The manor house provides an internal view into the Gilded Age era of the Appalachian region. It remains one of the most significant historical points of interest along the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway route.
The front porch of Flat Top Manor facing the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Park at the manor house lot for direct access to the craft shop and carriage trails.
Bring comfortable walking shoes to navigate the extensive carriage road network.
Check the National Park Service website for current trail conditions before embarking on long hikes.
Do not attempt to drive vehicles onto the carriage roads; these are restricted to pedestrians, equestrians, and cyclists.
The manor house and craft shop operate seasonally, typically closing during winter months.
Maintain quiet in the craft shop; stay on marked trails to protect the historical landscape.
