Sometimes, a Rotary project begins with a question.
Not how much it will cost.
Not how long it will take.
But why it matters.
For the Rotary Club of Rome, that question led members to one of the most significant moments in Georgia’s history and to a phrase that has lingered for nearly two centuries:
“But One Summer More.”
Those words were written on March 22, 1837, in a letter from General John E. Wool to the Cherokee Nation. They served as a stark warning that the Cherokee people had just one final summer to harvest their crops in North Georgia before they would be forced from the land their families had called home for generations.
Within a year, thousands would begin the journey west along what became known as the Trail of Tears.
As the 200th anniversary of the Cherokee Constitution approaches in July 2027, the Rotary Club of Rome is ensuring that this story is not forgotten.
The club is leading the creation of the “But One Summer More” Memorial, a public monument that will stand between the Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home and Ridge Ferry Park in Rome. More than a work of art, the memorial will invite visitors to pause, reflect, and consider the human impact behind one of our nation’s defining historical events.
The idea began taking shape after Appalachian State University professor Allen Bryant shared General Wool’s historic letter with the club. Its powerful message inspired Rotarians to ask a simple but profound question: How can we help future generations remember?
That vision became even more personal when Sonny Ledford, Cultural Ambassador for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, visited Rome to speak with Rotarians and the community.
Rather than beginning with dates or historical facts, Ledford asked those gathered to imagine themselves in the Cherokees’ place.
“Imagine someone coming up to you saying you can’t live here anymore. If you have gardens or crops and that’s how you make a living, if you were told you will never plant here again, ever. How would that make you feel?”
In that moment, history was no longer a chapter in a textbook. It became a shared human experience.
Ledford’s visit, which included presentations at both the Rotary Club of Rome and the Chieftains Museum, reinforced why this memorial is so important. It is not simply about commemorating the past. It is about fostering understanding, preserving truth, and creating a place where future generations can learn.
The project continues to gain momentum. More than $26,000 has already been raised toward the memorial, and a committee is carefully reviewing five sculpture concepts with a strong commitment to historical accuracy. If the remaining funding is secured by Labor Day, the selected artist will begin work in anticipation of a July 2027 dedication during the bicentennial of the Cherokee Constitution.
This is what Rotary does best.
Sometimes we build playgrounds. Sometimes we provide clean water. Sometimes we support our schools and strengthen our communities. And sometimes, we preserve stories that deserve to be remembered.
The Rotary Club of Rome’s “But One Summer More” Memorial is a powerful reminder that service isn’t only about changing the future. It is also about honoring the past with honesty, compassion, and courage.
Across Rotary District 6910, clubs are finding meaningful ways to create lasting impact. In Rome, that impact will stand in bronze and stone, inviting every visitor to remember one summer that changed history forever.
Those interested in supporting the memorial can make a tax-deductible contribution through the Community Foundation for Greater Rome. Every gift helps ensure that this important chapter of Georgia’s story continues to educate and inspire generations to come.
Interested in learning more? The Rotary Club of Rome welcomes visitors and prospective members to its weekly meetings every Thursday at 12:00 p.m. at the Coosa Country Club in Rome. Come enjoy lunch, connect with community leaders, and discover how Rotary is creating lasting impact both locally and around the world.
