Intertwined Legacies: Possum Trot & Beyond
Shelton Family Reunion
& A Call to Gather: A Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience
One Family. Many Legacies. Sacred Pathways.
July 24–25, 2026
Berry College | Rome, Georgia
Intertwined Legacies - 152 Years
Before there was a gathering, there was a journey. In 1874, our ancestors, Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton, established a settlement that would grow to over 600 acres in and near what is now known as Possum Trot at Berry College, building lives rooted in resilience, land, and community. They were the parents of twelve known children: Laura, Lucy, Frances, Aaron Hardy, Mary, Lula, Judy, Henri, Joel, William, Rhoda, and Matilda. Their journey extended from Coosa into Possum Trot, forming the foundation for generations spread across Georgia and beyond, including Texas, Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee—carrying forward a legacy that continues to connect us today.
What began as a descendant collaboration in 2016, ten years ago, between the descendants of Aaron Hardy and Fannie Key Shelton, Irvin and Lucy Shelton Spruce, and Lee and Frances “Fannie” Shelton Cathey grew into a collective commitment to preserve, honor, and share this history. In 2018, that work became more intentional—with a continuation of guidance by descendants dedicated to protecting the integrity of the story, the significance of the land, and the legacy entrusted to future generations. Photo: Mary Bearden Shelton, wife of Hardy Shelton. Photo Credit: Aaron Hardy and Fannie Key Family
The Invitation
You are invited to return—not only to a place, but to a legacy. This is more than a reunion. More than a preservation experience. It is a return—to the land, the stories, and one another.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin - Berry College
The Gathering
This gathering is hosted by the Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot, a descendant collaborative that brings together descendants, extended family, and invited guests for a multi-day reunion and preservation heritage experience rooted in history, connection, and remembrance. Guided by the theme Intertwined Legacies: From Possum Trot and Beyond, the gathering honors the paths of each descendant line, recognizing that no matter where their journeys have taken them, they have remained connected to one another and to their ancestral home in Rome, Georgia. From shared meals and storytelling to moments of reflection on the land itself, each part of the gathering is designed to honor those who came before us while bringing the family together in meaningful ways.
The Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot is not a nonprofit entity, but a collaborative framework through which descendants are able to coordinate preservation, engagement, and reunion efforts. Programmatic and educational components of the gathering are being supported, in part, by family heritage nonprofits, including the Shelton Descendants Historical Society and the Shelton Heritage Society of Georgia & Historic Possum Trot, Inc., both 501(c)(3) organizations.
Representatives from both organizations, along with other descendants, are members of the Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot Preservation Team, which periodically meets with Berry College regarding the preservation and interpretation of our family’s former settlement and history.
Descendant & Extended Family Reunion Experience
A multi-day gathering of descendants and extended family rooted in connection, remembrance, and shared legacy.
Descendant Gathering & Heritage Preservation Experience
A space for reflection, discovery, and shared history.
Sacred Pathways
An introduction to the journeys that shaped our family lines—past and present.
Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot Honoring Ceremony
A moment to honor the land, the ancestors, and the legacy that continues.
This is more than a program—it is a return.
The Experience
How will you enter the story?
Moments. Stories. Legacy.
Photo Credit: Brant Sanderlin, Berry College
Choose Your Experience.
Three pathways. One legacy.
Registration Experience Options
Full Family Reunion Experience (includes the A Call to Gather Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience) For descendants & extended family members. Scroll down to learn more and to register.
Full Family Reunion Experience
$135 Ages 13 +
A Call to Gather Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience (Saturday Morning & Afternoon) Open to family members & community guests. Scroll down to learn more and to register.
A Call to Gather
Heritage & Preservation Experience
$50 Ages 13 +
Saturday Heritage Experience (All Day Saturday) Includes A Call to Gather Experience and Legacy Gala For Descendants & Extended Family Members. Scroll down to learn more and to register.
Saturday Heritage Experience
$90 Ages 13 +
Children’s Fees
Ages 3-12
Full Reunion Experience - $40
A Call to Gather Heritage Preservation Experience - $30
Saturday Heritage Experience - $20
All Experiences - Ages 0 - 2 - Free
Optional Add-On Fees
T-Shirts/Onesies - $12
Friday Light Continental Breakfast - $10
Saturday A Call to Gather Breakfast - $20
Registration Deadline
June 30, 2026
Photography & Media Notice
Photography and video recording will take place throughout this event. By attending, you acknowledge and consent to the use of your image, likeness, and voice by the Shelton Family Settlement at Possum Trot and its nonprofit partners for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to archival documentation, educational materials, promotional content, and digital or print publications.
Refund Policy:
Registration payments help cover event planning, catering, venue coordination, and commemorative materials associated with the 2026 Shelton Family Reunion & A Call to Gather – A Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience.
Refund requests submitted on or before July 8, 2026 will be honored less any non-refundable processing fees, finalized apparel costs, or committed vendor expenses.After July 8, 2026, refunds generally cannot be guaranteed due to finalized catering, apparel, and event-related vendor commitments.
Commemorative apparel and custom items, including t-shirts and onesies, are non-refundable after July 7, 2026 once production orders have been finalized. Requests related to extenuating circumstances may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Registration Experience Pathways
Option 1 - Full Family Reunion Experience
Family Full Reunion Experience (Includes A Call to Gather Heritage Preservation Experience)
Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25, 2026
A multi-day experience for descendants and extended family rooted in connection, remembrance, and shared legacy. For descendants and extended family members joining for the full weekend.
Private Family Registration
Includes:
Friday
Optional Light Continental Breakfast - $10
Morning Family Welcome Experience
A warm and welcoming gathering to begin the day, bringing family together in a spirit of connection and shared purpose.Gathering at the Table - Karamu - ᏏᏓᏁᎸᎯ ᎤᎾᏓᏟᏌᎲᎢ (Cherokee) - A Family Welcome Luncheon
A celebratory luncheon centered on fellowship and joy, honoring the tradition of gathering in community.Family Heritage Tours
Guided experiences that offer a deeper connection to the places and stories that shape our family’s history.
Evening Family Mix & Mingle
An informal evening of connection and conversation, providing space to reconnect and build new relationships across the family.
Saturday Morning & Afternoon
A Call to Gather Shelton Heritage & Preservation Experience (includes optional breakfast, special presentations & speakers, Possum Trot Heritage Ceremony, Intertwined Legacies Luncheon, Visit to Freemantown - Historical site visit for reflection. May include Freemantown Cemetery, if accessible.)
Saturday Evening Legacy Gala
Legacy Gala
The Legacy Gala is an evening of reflection and celebration, opening with a brief tribute to individuals whose contributions embody the intertwined legacies of our family across generations. Featuring the Legacu
A curated welcome package with commemorative materials
All weekend programming tentative and subject to change. For more information, contact reunion@sfsga.org
Experience Option 2
Option 2 - Intertwined Legacies: A Call to Gather A Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience
A Call to Gather
A Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience
Saturday, July 25, 2026 - Morning & Afternoon
A space for reflection, celebration, discovery, and shared history. The preservation experience welcomes descendants and extended family members, along with individuals engaged in historic preservation, research, and student scholarship.
Family & Community Guest Registration
Includes:
Optional Morning Gathering Breakfast - $20
Begin the day with a relaxed morning gathering, offering time to connect and prepare for the day’s shared experiences.
Special Presentations & Speakers
Engage with speakers and presentations that explore history, preservation, and the legacy of our family.
Possum Trot Ceremony
A reflective and ceremonial gathering at Possum Trot, honoring our ancestors and the sacred ground that connects our shared history.
Intertwined Legacies Luncheon
A time of connection and reflection over a shared meal, highlighting the importance of preserving this important history.Visit to Freemantown
Historical site visit for reflection. May include Freemantown Cemetery, if accessible. This visit will center on the history and significance of the Freemantown community, offering space for reflection and the opportunity to stand in and connect with the land itself. Shelton and Cathey family members share familial ties with Freemantown descendants, and descendants of Hardy and Mary—including a grandchild, his wife, and at least one great-grandchild—are possibly buried in the Freemantown Cemetery.A curated welcome package with commemorative materials
All weekend programming is tentative and subject. to change. For more information, contact reunion@sfsga.org
Experience Option 3
Option 3 -Saturday Full Day Heritage Experience
Saturday Full Day Heritage Experience
Saturday, July 25, 2026 - All Day
An immersive day of heritage and discovery, beginning with the Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience and concluding with the Legacy Awards Gala—honoring the journeys, stories, and legacy of our family. Registration path for descendants and extended family members joining for the full day on Saturday only - both the reunion and heritage preservation experiences.
Private Family Registration
Includes:
Saturday Morning & Afternoon
A Call to Gather Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience
Optional Breakfast - $20
Special Presentations & Speakers
Possum Trot Heritage Ceremony - Preferred Dress Code: All White or Reunion T-Shirt
Intertwined Legacies Luncheon
Visit to Freemantown Historical site visit for reflection. May include Freemantown Cemetery, if accessible. This visit will center on the history and significance of the Freemantown community, offering space for reflection and the opportunity to stand in and connect with the land itself. Shelton and Cathey family members share familial ties with Freemantown descendants, and descendants of Hardy and Mary—including a grandchild and at least one great-grandchild—are possibly buried in the Freeemantown Cemetery.
Saturday Evening
Legacy Gala
The Legacy Gala is an evening of reflection and celebration, opening with a brief tribute to individuals whose contributions embody the intertwined legacies of our family across generations. Suggested Attire: Dressy or Semi-Formal
A curated welcome package with commemorative materials
*All weekend programming is tentative and subject to change. For more information, contact reunion@sfsga.org
Legacy Gala
Legacy Awards Nominations
As part of the 2026 Shelton Family Gathering, we will honor five individuals whose lives reflect and/or have positively impacted the intertwined legacies of our family, recognizing those who, along their ancestral paths, have carried forward the work of preserving, strengthening, and uplifting our shared legacy across generations.
We invite family members, extended/interconnected family members, and the community members to submit nominations for individuals whose impact spans areas such as historical preservation, community leadership, mentorship, and strengthening family connections across generations. Nominations offer an opportunity for the family to share and highlight the many meaningful contributions taking place across our community.
The Reunion Committee will thoughtfully review all nominations, taking into consideration the stories, contributions, and perspectives shared. While we may not be able to honor everyone during this event, we are deeply grateful for the incredible work being carried forward across our family, and a small number of individuals may receive special recognition in addition to the selected honorees.
Selected honorees will be recognized during the Legacy Gala, with additional individuals receiving honorable recognition. The deadline to submit nominations is June 15, 2026. If you have any questions, comments, etc., please reach out to SFSPT at reunion@sfsga.org.
The Itinerary & Other Important Info
Saturday | A Call to Gather - A Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience & Reunion Evening Legacy Gala
Intertwined Legacies: A Call to Gather - A Shelton Heritage Preservation Experience
Optional Morning Breakfast
A quiet and intentional start to the day (optional)The Gathering | Part I
Special presentations and discussionsThe Gathering | Part II
A continuation of the day’s experience, including special presentations, an honoring ceremony at the Shelton Family Cemetery at Possum Trot, guest speakers, descendant reflections,The Gathering | Part III
This portion of the experience features the Intertwined Legacies Luncheon, a time of fellowship, reflection, and shared legacy, followed by an opportunity to visit the historic Freemantown area and, if accessible, the nearby cemetery connected to the community’s history.
Visit to Freemantown
An extension of the day’s journey and historical exploration. Historical site visit for reflection. This visit will center on the history and significance of the Freemantown community, offering space for reflection and the opportunity to stand in and connect with the land itself. Shelton and Cathey family members share familial ties with Freemantown descendants, and descendants of Hardy and Mary—including a grandchild and at least one great-grandchild—are possibly buried in the cemetery The Spruce-Shelton family who lived at the Shelton family settlement also shares a close historical relationship with the Freemantown families.Family Reunion - Evening Legacy Gala
The Legacy Gala is an evening of reflection and celebration, opening with a brief tribute to individuals whose contributions embody the intertwined legacies of our family across generations.
Friday | Family Welcome & Connections
Optional Morning Breakfast
A casual start for those arriving early (optional)Family Welcome Experience
A gathering to ground the weekend in shared legacy and purpose. Includes moments of storytelling, family history, bonding, and reflections. An opportunity to build relationships with family.Karamu & ᏏᏓᏁᎸᎯ ᎤᎾᏓᏟᏌᎲᎢ Family Welcome Luncheon
A traditional welcome meal rooted in fellowship and cultural continuity that honors both our African and Cherokee heritage. Includes catered buffet lunch.Family & Community Heritage Tours
Exploring the landscapes and spaces connected to our family’s historyEvening Family Mix & Mingle
A relaxed evening gathering designed for reconnection and fellowship. Includes catered buffet dinner.
Optional
Friday Light Continental Breakfast - $10
Saturday A Call to Gather Breakfast - $20
T-Shirts (Onesies and Up) - $12
Children’s Registration
Ages 0–2: Free
Ages 3–12: $40
Suggested Attire
Friday Evening Mix & Mingle
Casual or Reunion T-Shirt
A group photo may be taken.
Saturday A Call to Gather Experience
White Attire or Reunion T-Shirt
A group photo will be taken during the Possum Trot Ceremony.
Saturday Legacy Gala & Awards
Dressy / Semi-Formal Attire
A group photo will be taken.
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2026
T-Shirt Orders Due July 7, 2026
A more detailed registration booklet is available at the registration link.
For more information, contact reunion@sfsga.org.
*Tentative - Subject to Change
Hosting and Support
Hosted By
In Partnership With
sheltonheritagesociety.org