Americana Village Bertha Cone
Bertha Cone, the widow of Moses H. Cone, owned and managed the estate of Flat Top Manor from her husband’s death in December 1908 until her own death in 1947. During her lifetime, she resisted the building of the BRP through the estate, and, as a result, construction of this portion was delayed until after her death.
Americana Village Southern Highland Craft Guild
The Southern Highland Handicraft Guild is the concessioner at the Flat Top Manor on the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The organization began demonstrating, displaying, and selling crafts there in August 1951. However, the Guild is based in Asheville and participates in many other craft ventures (such as their Asheville craft shop, or the Folk Art center) in addition to those at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park.
Americana Village Julian Price Park
A Blue Ridge Parkway recreational park at milepost 297 near Blowing Rock, North Carolina and named after its previous owner, Julian Price. The park connects to the adjacent Moses Cone Memorial Park, and consists of a lake, picnic area, campground, and trails.
Americana Village Moses Cone Park
A Blue Ridge Parkway recreational park in Blowing Rock, North Carolina on the former estate of Moses and Bertha Cone. The park includes their mansion, Flat Top Manor, hiking trails, and carriage trails. This was the original planned site for an “Americana Village” on the Parkway.
Americana Village Mission 66
Mission 66 was an NPS sponsored program that was develop more visitor and park services in time for the agency’s 50th anniversary in 1966. The program lasted for ten years and ended during the planning process of the Americana Village.
Americana Village Robert Gray
Robert Gray was the director of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild beginning in 1961. He was an advocate of the creation of the Americana Village. The Blue Ridge Parkway archives in Asheville are filled with communications between him and James Eden, the Superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway from 1966 to 1968.
Americana Village Moses Cone Initial Plan
The original plans for an Americana Village at Moses Cone were modest by comparison to later plans. The plan called for a small pioneer village: a school house, farm, craft center, a visitor center, and increased parking.
Americana Village Interim Report
The Interim Report Developed Area Narrative was assembled by a study team that decided that the topography and lack of water sources on the Moses H. Cone property made that site inadequate for the proposed American Village plan. Therefore, the planned project was moved to Julian Price.
Americana Village James Eden
James Eden was the superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway from 1966 to 1968, which is during the planning of Americana Village.
Americana Village Master Plan at Julian Price
By the late 1960s, the plans for an Americana Village had moved from Moses Cone to Julian Price. The plan at Julian Price is much wider in scope, calling for much more parking, craft demonstrations, a ampitheater, a training center, and a fully functioning town.
Americana Village Moses Cone Final Plan
The Moses Cone Final Plan, proposed in August 1969, would restore Flat Top Manor to its orginial glory, move the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild outlet to Julian Price, and improve upon the trails and carriage lanes.
Americana Village Dissolution of Americana Village
It is uncertain why the Americana Village project was abandoned. No primary document searched in the fall of 2013 offered a conclusive reason why it was never built. It is possible that competition from other NPS projects and the Vietnam War may have been factors.