Visitor Center Services Volunteer- Moses Cone Estate- Blue Ridge Parkway

The National Park Service is seeking Visitor Center Services Volunteers to serve at the Moses Cone Estate located at milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC. The volunteers will staff the visitor center information desk answering questions and providing site and park orientation to the Parkway visitors. 

The Moses H. Cone Estate is a historic country retreat built by textile entrepreneur Moses Herman Cone in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cone, known for revolutionizing denim production in the southern United States, sought refuge in the region’s mountain climate and natural beauty. Together with family, Cone developed the 3,500‑acre estate into a model of landscape design, craftsmanship, and conservation.

Today, the estate—also known as Moses H. Cone Memorial Park—offers visitors a variety of recreational and cultural experiences. More than 25 miles of meticulously designed carriage roads wind through forests, fields, and around Bass Lake, providing opportunities for walking, hiking, horseback riding, and appreciating the estate’s scenic vistas. At its center stands Flat Top Manor, the elegant colonial‑revival style mansion that once served as the Cone family home. Now open seasonally, the Manor House features cultural exhibits, a craft center operated by the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and insight into the Cone family’s legacy.

Together, the Manor House and carriage road system make the Moses Cone Estate one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most significant historic landscapes, inviting visitors to experience both its natural splendor and its rich cultural history.

Major Duties

·      Greet and interact with visitors, answering often repetitive questions at visitor information desks.

·      Provide information, orientation, and quality customer service to visitors in person and by phone.

·      Direct traffic in parking areas or during special events as needed.

·      Assist with sales for Park Partner during high traffic times, lunch and restroom breaks.

·      Assist with raising and lowering the flag in proper manner.

·      Know procedures for emergencies and how to initiate emergency response for lost hikers, injuries, and other emergencies.

·      Utilize safety procedures and follow established safety rules and regulations.

Time Commitment

Volunteer is expected to serve at least 3 hours per week.

Available Volunteer Shifts

Sunday: 2:00 - 4:30pm

Monday: 10:00 - 1:00pm

Tuesday: 1:00 - 4:30pm

Wednesday: 10:00 - 1:00pm

Thursday: 10:00 - 1:00pm

Friday: 10:00 - 1:00pm