About the Swan Ball

Jane Dudley

The Swan Ball was established in 1963 by Nashville native Jane Anderson Dudley as a means of raising funds for the new Tennessee Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts Center at Cheekwood. The idea was suggested in a casual conversation during a tennis game between the then president of the new horticultural and arts center and Jane Dudley, at 36 already one of Nashville’s leading hostesses. A short time later, Mrs. Dudley was appointed to take charge of the event, which was envisioned as a grand gala to be held under a tent in Cheekwood’s sweeping Swan Garden, overlooking the rolling hills of Nashville. Mrs. Dudley enlisted the support of the city’s social leaders, men and women alike—a somewhat unusual move in a town where social entertaining was considered a woman’s domain.

The first Ball was a smashing success. With the national press coverage and socialite celebrities in attendance, the ball immediately took on the status of an international social event. The Ball simply got bigger and better, more glamorous, more spectacular each year. The Ball continues to raise millions of dollars for Cheekwood annually.

Mrs. Dudley was a graduate of Parmer School, Ward Belmont and Vanderbilt University (1947), then worked briefly for the Nashville Tennessean newspaper. In a later career, she managed corporate accounts for Tiffany & Co. for more than two decades. Her husband Guilford Dudley was Ambassador to Denmark from 1969 to 1971, an opportunity for her to express her talent for hospitality at the highest levels, entertaining diplomats, politicians and royalty, many of whom remained lifelong friends.

A member of the International Best Dressed list, she was a lover of all things glamourous and beautiful, from fine porcelain to her prize-winning roses to a breath-taking sunset. Above all, she loved people—and she loved a party. She put those passions to good use, not only entertaining frequently and memorably herself, but chairing more than 25 charity events around the world, through which she raised millions of dollars—and often changed the face of the fundraiser in the process. She certainly changed the face of fundraising in Nashville, and for that, the community is eternally grateful.

History

Founded in 1963, the Swan Ball is a white-tie gala in Nashville, Tennessee attended by prominent southeastern, national and international guests. The Ball takes place on the Swan Lawn at Cheekwood each June, and includes an evening of cocktails, seated dinner, live auction, dancing to nationally acclaimed entertainment and a featured fine jewelry exhibit.

Past Entertainment, Swan Award Recipients and More History

Cheekwood

Our Beneficiary

Cheekwood is considered one of the finest American Country Place Era estates in the nation. Formerly the family home of Mabel and Leslie Cheek, the extraordinary 1930s estate, with its 30,000 square foot Mansion and 55 acres of cultivated gardens and expansive vistas, today serves the public as a botanical garden, arboretum, and museum with historic rooms and art galleries, and offers a robust calendar of events and programs to engage our community. The expansive property includes 13 distinct gardens, including the Blevins Japanese Garden, Bracken Foundation Children's Garden, Bradford Robertson Color Garden, as well as the 1.5-mile Ann & Monroe Carell Jr. Family Sculpture Trail featuring modern and contemporary outdoor sculpture in a woodland setting. From 2020-22, Cheekwood welcomed over 1 million visitors, and it ranks as the 3rd highest-attended attraction in Nashville.

Seasonal festivals include Cheekwood in Bloom, Cheekwood Harvest, and Holiday LIGHTS. Cheekwood offers education and outreach programs to engage K - 12 students and community groups, ensuring that those without the means have the opportunity to visit. Special events such as the Under the Stars concert series and Exposition of Elegance: Classic Cars at Cheekwood engage visitors from Nashville and beyond, while wellness programs including yoga, meditation, and mindfulness walks offer opportunities for renewal and rejuvenation.

The Swan Ball is Cheekwood's most important annual fundraiser, raising an average of $1 million for its annual operations each year. With the Swan Ball's critical support, Cheekwood will remain a Nashville -and national- treasure for generations to come.