The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park is located at Milepost 294 along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The Memorial Park, features the Cone Family estate home known as Flat Top Manor. The Manor House and associated property are an example of a gentleman’s country estate established at the turn of the 20th century, by Moses H. Cone, an American captain of industry (textiles). By the time of his death, Moses Cone was a model country gentleman whose life at the Manor illustrated the ideals of the Country Place era. The family donated the estate to the National Park Service in 1949 and is now known as the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The Moses H. Cone Memorial Park historic district represents one of the largest and best-preserved country estates in western North Carolina. The initial construction lasted from 1899-1901 and is now individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places due to its significance and contributions to architecture, industry, landscape architecture, and social history. Liollio Architecture was selected through our A-E design services contract with National Park Service’s Denver Service Center (DSC) as the Architect to lead the historic preservation design of a major exterior rehabilitation of the Manor. In order to preserve and rehabilitate this important historic building, Liollio and its consultants provided the necessary interventions to revive this structure, including:

• Architectural and Structural Envelope Analyses and Exterior Condition Assessments

• Historic Preservation Treatment Plans. This is a detailed, step-by-step report and construction documentation that ensures project work lives within the guidelines of the Secretary of the Interiors Preservation guidelines and the technical preservation briefs issued by its department.

• Close discussions between Denver Service Center, Blueridge Parkway staff, and Liollio help determine fitness and eligibility of contractor selections to meet these high standards of work.  

• Cataloging and documenting Period of Significance windows, screening, standing and running trim, millwork, doors, clapboard, masonry chimneys, dormers, second floor balustrade and roofing assemblies.

• Structural analysis of existing porch columns and resolving leveling issues pertaining to the roof of the porch.

• Extensive moisture mitigation (roofing, flashing, fenestration) strategies to preserve this National Treasure

• Providing documentation and analysis of alternative materials to be coordinated with DSC and SHPO. Alternative materials included a composite roofing system that met code requirements of fire-retardant materials, minimal long-term maintenance, warranted longevity and resistance to color change. Also, of great concern was the aesthetics of the roofing material relative to matching the profile and look of the historic shake roof.  

• The previous lightning protection system was no longer maintainable and did not meet current code requirements. The system was designed to provide the structure with the necessary protection while minimizing its visual effect on the exterior of the Manor. 

• Titles I, ll and ll services included Value Analysis study, Project Management, Architecture, Historic Preservation, Structural Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Cost Estimating.  

During construction the Liollio team provided Title lll construction services to assist DSC and the Park with Request for Information and Submittal response recommendations and periodic site visits. Liollio also coordinated through DSC, reviews with the GC and their subcontractors of the window and column restoration and reinstallation process. 

For inquiries related to this project, please contact jay@liollio.com