An Enchanted Forest: The 62nd Swan Ball Is a Triumph of Whimsy and Wonder

It is no question that Cheekwood Estate & Gardens is one of the grand homes of historical significance in the country. While the home and gardens were originally privately held, the estate was later gifted to the people of Nashville and has been a treasured destination for art and botanical knowledge ever since. Most recently, Cheekwood completed the restoration of the Petite Swan Garden, furthering its mission to restore much of the estate to the original vision of landscape architect Bryant Fleming.

For 62 years, hundreds have flocked to the esteemed estate for the annual white-tie gala Swan Ball. The event raises important funds, not only to support Cheekwood’s daily operations, but also to fund the extensive community outreach that takes place at the estate each year. This year’s theme, Enchanted Forest, accentuated the original vision of the Cheekwood estate with effervescent spirit.

The Petite Swan Garden

In 1932, Leslie and Mabel Cheek moved their family into the newly completed Cheekwood estate. The Georgian-style mansion was surrounded by acres of lush, pristine gardens designed by Bryant Fleming. A New York native, Bryant became the first lecturer and instructor in landscape art at Cornell University’s College of Agriculture. His extensive portfolio included public works, like the creation and restoration of several New York state parks and a comprehensive campus plan for Cornell University. He also had a robust residential landscape architecture practice.

Bryant worked all over the country and was selected as the landscape architect for Cheekwood estate. One of the grandest gardens he created for the property was — and still is — the Swan Lawn. Just beside it lies the Petite Swan Garden, a smaller, more intimate space said to have been Mabel’s favorite garden. A champion of women’s education, Mabel was a voracious reader. Her favorite room in the mansion was the library, and the Petite Swan Garden, located just outside it, provided a beautiful setting for reading outdoors. The garden was once surrounded by stately boxwoods and featured a statue of a woman with a basket on her head. The centerpiece of the garden was a swan fountain, which stood at the head of a terraced stream.

In recent years, in an effort to restore the garden to its original design, Cheekwood conducted an extensive Historic American Landscapes Survey on the integrity and significance of the garden. Once work began, the organization focused on restoring vegetation and improving the integrity of structures, like the garden’s arching retaining wall, wrought-iron railings and fountain basin. The organization has also worked to restore the original swan sculpture and the stone statue of the woman with a basket on her head, which is original to the Cheek family. The completion of the garden not only adds significance to the property, it also embelishes the glamour of the Swan Ball. 

Swan Ball

On the evening of the Swan Ball Patrons Party, after some guests expressed concern about the weather for the upcoming ball, multigenerational Nashvillian Ted Clayton quipped,  “Oh, it wouldn’t dare rain on the ball.” And he was right. Just before guests arrived at Cheekwood for the 62nd annual Swan Ball, the rain cleared, making way for a lovely and temperate evening. Members of the dance committee — chaired by Catherine Bradbury and Abby Granbery — executed their duties beautifully, ready with dozens of umbrellas that were (fortunately) no longer needed.

Inside, guests enjoyed a marvel of design. The 2024 Swan Ball co-chairs, Sally Nesbitt and Carolyn Taylor, worked with the phenomenally talented Dori Thorton Waller, her team at The Social Office, and the wildly creative Jim Knestrick of Knestrick By Design to bring this year’s theme — Enchanted Forest — to life. Guests ascended a floral-laden staircase, heavy with peonies and roses in hues of peach, pink and blush. After passing through the Loggia, revelers stepped into a cocktail tent full of moss-covered bars, overgrown trees and flickering glass globes, reminiscent of fairy lights, hanging from above.

As guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour, many made their way to visit with Matthew and Carrie Imberman of Kentshire — the official 2024 Swan Ball jeweler. Many also visited the Nfocus Portrait Studio to commemorate the evening.

Afterward, guests made their way to the dinner tent, where Jim’s masterful efforts to create the Enchanted Forest were on full display. There, bursting with vibrant color, were exaggerated florals, crystal chandeliers adorned with even more roses, and wrought-iron trellises lined with massive faux flowers. The décor made for an effervescent and whimsical dining experience. 

As guests took their seats, Cheekwood president and CEO Jane MacLeod headed to the stage. She offered profound and heartfelt appreciation to everyone in the room for the many ways they support Cheekwood through the Swan Ball. Sally and Carolyn echoed Jane’s words of thanks before presenting the annual Swan Award. “When we were considering the pillars of the Swan Award, service to humanity and contribution to the arts were forefront in our minds,” Sally said. “Immediately, Amy Grant came to mind.” 

Amy graciously accepted the award, noting that Nashville is one special place. “I have traveled the world making music, and I am telling you, Nashville is a town like no other,” she said. “To all of my fellow Nashvillians, the combination of medicine, education, music, business and arts is apparent in this city more than any place I have ever been. And Cheekwood is a forerunner in this arena.”

Then it was time for the night’s musical guest: the Grammy-award-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show. From the moment the band took the stage, nearly everyone in the room was on their feet dancing and cheering. The energy throughout the tent was electric. Ketch Secor, the band’s founder and frontman, kept the whole room moving. The set ended with the hit song “Wagon Wheel,” with many in the room singing along to the popular tune. After the last note by Old Crow Medicine Show, the party continued into the early hours of the next morning, as the Late Party, co-chaired by Katherine Breland and Molly Viola, kicked off even more dancing with Mockingbird Musicians.