In the late 1880's, Moses H. Cone purchased 3,600 acres of land north of Blowing Rock, and built one of North Carolina's premier turn-of-the-century country estates, which includes Flat Top Mountain and Rich Mountain. Blowing Rock in the late 19th century was becoming a chic mountain resort town. In the late 1930's, Julian Price, bought the Cone estate to create a retreat for the employees of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company.
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In 1950, the Cone and Price lands were donated to the U.S. National Park Service. The combined parkland comprises the largest developed area along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The park including 25 miles of carriage trails, boating and fishing, camping and picnic areas, mountain handicraft demonstrations and sales, daily guided walks and evening campfires. The mansion is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild.
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