Interview with Maxine Wiley, April 20, 2010

Interview Summary

Maxine Wiley grew up on a farm in Woodford County, Kentucky. After fifty-four years, she retired from her position as a secretary at the former Ancient Age Distillery, now the Buffalo Trace Distillery. In this interview, Wiley describes her childhood on the farm and explains how she began working as a secretary at the distillery. She describes what it was like working there in the 1950s and 1960s. Wiley explains the nature of the work she did and talks about the bosses she had over the years, mentioning Colonel Blanton and Elmer Lee. She also shares anecdotes from the distillery and explains how the work culture and environment have changed over time. Wiley talks about the distillery's changes in ownership and describes the impact of these changes. In addition, she tells the interviewer how she would like to be remembered at the distillery.

Interview Keyword

Farm life. Work environment Whiskey in Kentucky Family farms Traditional farming Woodford County (Ky.) Childhood Women--Employment.

Interview LC Subject

Blanton, Albert B. (Albert Bacon), 1881-1959 Bourbon whiskey Buffalo Trace Distillery Distilleries--Kentucky Lee, Elmer T., 1919- Whiskey Whiskey industry--Kentucky Whiskey--Anecdotes Wiley, Maxine Wiley, Maxine--Interviews Women in the whiskey industry

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

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