Interview with Freddie Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, October 16, 2008

Interview Summary

Jimmy Johnson is a retired foreman who worked for many years at Buffalo Trace, primarily in the warehouses. Freddie Johnson, his son, is a former engineer who now works as a tour guide at Buffalo Trace. Both grew up in Frankfort, Kentucky. In this interview, Jimmy and Freddie Johnson describe what it was like to grow up in Kentucky and how they began working at the distillery. Jimmy describes what the distillery was like in the 1940s and 1950s and explains his rise to the position of foreman. He talks about his treatment at the distillery as an African American, explaining that Buffalo Trace did not tolerate racism. Jimmy also discusses Colonel Albert Blanton, a former president of the distillery. Jimmy and Freddie emphasize the importance of community and history at the distillery. They explain how the distillery has changed over time, but stress that the fundamentals of producing bourbon remain unchanged.

Interview Keyword

Colonel Albert B. Blanton Military service, Voluntary--United States. Whiskey in Kentucky Distilling, illicit African Americans--Segregation Childhood Families.

Interview LC Subject

Blanton, Albert B. (Albert Bacon), 1881-1959 Bourbon whiskey Buffalo Trace Distillery Distilleries--Kentucky Floods--Kentucky Frankfort (Ky.) Whiskey Whiskey industry--Kentucky African Americans in the whiskey industry Race relations--Kentucky Distillation Distillers

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.