Moses H. Cone Memorial Park Rehabilitation

It only takes one visit to realize Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is an enchanting place. The 3,500-acre estate created by denim magnate Moses H. Cone, and his wife, Bertha, in late 1800s invites visitors to explore the carriage trails on foot or horseback, go birding, relax by tranquil lakes, and learn about the life and times of the Cone family. 

Since its inception in 1997, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has worked with donors to invest in the preservation of this country estate at milepost 294 on the Parkway, including successfully nominating the estate for the National Register of Historic Places. 

You can play a role in protecting this beloved destination by supporting current projects, including:

Flat Top Manor Plaster Repairs & Replacement

Crumbling ceiling plaster in three interior spaces is marring the beauty of the circa-1901 mansion. In addition to being unsightly and detrimental to the integrity of this historic home, it is a safety issue. As the damaged plaster continues to fall, visitors and employees are exposed to the possibility of being struck by the heavy material falling from the 12-foot ceilings. With a gift, you can fund repairs by professionals who specialize in period plasterwork. Your donation will preserve the historic appearance and structural integrity of this Parkway treasure, and ensure the safety of staff and visitors.

Bass Lake Accessibility Ramp

You can give more people the chance to enjoy the tranquility of Bass Lake. The flat loop trail around the picturesque lake is a popular destination for High Country residents and visitors alike. Unfortunately, the ramp that leads to the trail from the parking area is a gravel path that is often eroded by rain, making it difficult for visitors to traverse. Your donation will replace the gravel ramp with a concrete route to the trail and restrooms, giving visitors with mobility limitations safer access to this key feature of the park.

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Past projects at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park:

• Extensive exterior renovations at Flat Top Manor (see before and after photos)

• Installation of a fire suppression system to protect Flat Top Manor

• Clearing of carriage trails with the help of youth conservation crews

• Construction of restrooms at Bass Lake

• Funding of maps and additional materials for visitors

• Funding for extended ranger seasons

• Creation of a virtual tour of Flat Top Manor

• Restoration of the balustrade on the front lawn

• Oral history interviews with the great-nieces of Bertha Cone

• Commisioning of the play “The Denim King: The Story of Moses Cone” to tell the story of the Cones and Flat Top Manor

• Care and maintenance for the hydrangea garden planted by Bertha Cone

See more accomplishments made possible by donors.  

2024 Denim Ball

Mark your calendar for The Denim Ball on September 5 at Camp Yonahnoka at the Linville Golf Club. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser help maintain and enhance Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.

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About Moses H. Cone Memorial Park

The park was owned and developed as a gentleman’s country estate by Moses H. Cone, an American captain of industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who with his brother, Ceasar Cone, brought denim production to the South with several mills based in Greensboro, N.C.

Cone was not only a successful entrepreneur, he was an inquisitive gentleman farmer who experimented with agriculture and designed and built one of America’s most beautiful country estates. Beginning in 1897, he carefully created an impressive retreat featuring carriage trails, lakes, orchards, fields, and forests. His vision was influenced by a great regard for the natural landscape.

Before his untimely death in 1908, he constructed Flat Top Manor as the centerpiece of this idyllic mountain retreat. After his passing, his wife, Bertha, operated the estate for 40 years, adhering to his original concept. The 3,500-acre estate became part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in 1949. The Cone family’s generosity and influence is still evident in Greensboro, home to Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, and the mountains today.

If you have questions or would like to get involved, please contact Jordan Calaway. 

Learn more

See before and after images of the exterior renovations at Flat Top Manor

Take a virtual tour of Flat Top Manor

Learn more in Phil Noblitt's book, Mansion in the Mountains, a history of Moses and Bertha Cone and Flat Top Manor.

Download a map of the carriage trails.

Hear a brief history of the estate by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.