The Moses H. Cone Memorial Manor, also known as Flat Top Manor to the locals, is located at ilepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. In 1898 Moses H. Cone wanted to emulate the Vanderbilts' Biltmore Estate and announced he was going to build a 13,000 square foot mansion for a cost of $25,000. (At that time, you could buy a home for $200.) Construction of the house started in 1899 and took two years to complete
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Today, the Manor serves as a visitor center and is best known as one of the Parkway's Craft Centers. The center features hundreds of crafts made by regional artists, quilters, candle makers, and other craftspeople.
In addition to the crafts, visitors will enjoy walking around the property or taking a carriage ride through the orchards and around Bass Lake. Moses loved nature and had numerous gardens, orchards, and hemlock trees. Visitors can still enjoy the lakes he constructed and the remains of the apple orchard that once consisted of over 10,000 apple trees.
Today, the Manor serves as a visitor center and is best known as one of the Parkway's Craft Centers. The center features hundreds of crafts made by regional artists, quilters, candle makers, and other craftspeople.
In addition to the crafts, visitors will enjoy walking around the property or taking a carriage ride through the orchards and around Bass Lake. Moses loved nature and had numerous gardens, orchards, and hemlock trees. Visitors can still enjoy the lakes he constructed and the remains of the apple orchard that once consisted of over 10,000 apple trees.
If you enjoy reading, this book goes into detail about the lives of Moses Cone and his wife. It discusses life after the war, how they made their fortune in the textile industry, and how they practically adopted the town of Blowing Rock and supplemented teacher's wages.
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