NATIONAL PARK SERVICE · events
Guided Tour of Flat Top Manor (Moses H Cone Memorial Park - Parkway milepost 294)
October 9, 2026 · Source: National Park Service
The Gilded Age “Denim King”, Moses H. Cone, turned his hand from textile manufacturing to becoming a “gentleman farmer” in the late 1890s. And what better way to emphasize “gentleman” than to build a 23-room mansion in the Blue Ridge mountains? Join a ranger to ascend the grand staircase of the Cone manor house, and peek into the past while touring the living spaces of this local industrialist. Learn about the legacy of the Cone family from Moses’ beginnings as a grocery salesman to the family’s patronage of the fine arts in Baltimore. Then join the ranks of the manor staff as you descend the steep and narrow servant’s stairs to visit the butler’s pantry and kitchen. Learn about the lives of the inside servants, the outdoor estate workers, and the ordinary folk who kept the 3,600 acre country estate in impeccable working order. IMPORTANT: All participants MUST be able to climb and descend two flights of stairs, as this historic building does not have an elevator. Guided tours are limited to 18 people and advance reservations are STRONGLY recommended. Reservations can be made up to 5 days in advance by calling the Moses H. Cone Manor House. We cannot take reservations more than 5 days in advance. (828) 295-3782
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Traveler guidance by State & Nation Staff Writer.