Oral history interview with David Swett, Jr., 17 July 2006.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library.

This interview was recorded in digital format using a Marantz PMD671 solid state recorder. The interview was recorded in .wav format at 48 khz and 16 bit and was converted to .mp3 format for access.

In library use only. Available by appointment.

Scope and content: Oral history interview with Nashville businessman David Swett, Jr., conducted 17 July 2006 by John Egerton as part of a cooperative effort between the Nashville Public Library's Nashville Business Leaders Oral History Project and the Southern Foodways Alliance. During the interview, Swett discusses such topics as his grandfather, Walter Swett's, establishment of the family restaurant, Swett's; his grandfather's encounters with racism; Walter Swett's views on desegregation and its effects on businesses; the food and its preparation at Swett's; recovery after a fire in 1988; meat and three restaurants in Nashville; and Walter Swett's provision of free meals to people over the years, including some of the participants in the civil rights movement.

Cite as: Oral history interview with David Swett, Jr., Nashville Business Leaders Oral History Project, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17 U.S. Code)

David Swett, Jr.'s grandparents, Walter and Susie Swett, started Swett's Restaurant in Nashville, Tenn., on 11 Sept. 1954. His father, David Swett, and uncle, Morris Swett, took over operation of the restaurant in 1978 upon their father's retirement. David Swett, Jr., and his brother Patrick, continue the family legacy.

In English.

Transcript available in repository.

Forms part of: Nashville Business Leaders Oral History Project: Southern Foodways Nashville Eats Interviews.