The Shurn FamilyReunion & Heritage
Rooted in love. Bound by blood. Growing across generations.
1844 — 2021 & BeyondOur Roots
A Heritage Traced to the 1840s
The Shurn family reunion carries a rich and enduring heritage. Descendants of the Shurn family have been traced as far back as the 1840s, to Drew Shurn and Emmaline Taylor — the patriarch and matriarch whose legacy continues to echo through every generation.
The Shurn Family Reunion formally began in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1950, launching on Labor Day weekend — a tradition that has remained unchanged to the present day.
The First Gathering — 1950
Small Beginnings, Great Legacy
The first gathering was intimate — a small circle of relatives and their families convening with warmth and purpose. Those who attended the inaugural reunion were:
During the first five years, the celebration alternated between South Bend, Indiana and Benton Harbor, Michigan. As membership grew, so did ambition — around the sixth year, the reunion took the show on the road, rotating among several cities as it proudly continues to do today.
Reunion Rotation Cities
Spreading the Family Spirit
The current reunion rotation spans the breadth of the country, bringing Shurn family members together across ten storied cities:
Official Incorporation — 1992
A Family, Formally United
In September 1992, the Shurn Family Reunion drafted and adopted a constitution and was legally incorporated as The Shurn Family. Thirteen officers were elected to serve on the National Board of Directors. The inaugural meeting was held in Nashville, Tennessee during the reunion.
◆ Officers on Date of Incorporation
◆ Remaining Board Members
The Board's mission is to oversee the interests of each participating city and to develop a strong organizational structure for governance — ensuring the Shurn family legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
Milestones
Marking History
Legal Incorporation
The Shurn Family is legally incorporated with a National Board of Directors of thirteen officers. The first meeting is held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Reunion Magazine Feature
Featured in the spring issue of Reunion Magazine, highlighting the family's commitment to youth participation, education, conflict resolution, and unity.
The Shurn Website Launches
www.shurn.com debuts — made possible through Barron Shurn, Arthur Shurn, Fred D. Shurn, Noricka Greyer, Eric Crenshaw, Rick Shurn, and Gwen Humphries.
Legacy Continues
After more than 70 years of reunions, the Shurn Family tradition is alive and well — growing, glowing, and stepping boldly into the future.
The sky is not our limit — it is our beginning. With love and family as the two main elements that keep us tightly knit and woven together, we look forward to a bright and prosperous future.
— The Shurn Family