Janett Sharee Galloway Donated Family Heirlooms to Museum
Macon local Janett Sharee Galloway has donated personal family artifacts to the Tubman Museum for public exhibition.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in African-American
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Janett Sharee Galloway presented a collection of family heirlooms, including a handmade powder blue prom dress and a portrait by artist Wilford Stroud, to the Tubman Museum in Macon. She chose to donate the items to ensure their preservation.
Why it matters
The donation secures personal and historical artifacts that span generations, preventing them from being discarded. These items join a broader collection of cultural heritage already recognized by institutions like the Smithsonian.
The collection includes items inherited in 1977, such as a dress from 1957. Scientific analysis previously confirmed that a related family skirt dates back to between 1850 and 1875.
The players
Janett Sharee Galloway
She is a local resident of Macon who recorded music at Philadelphia International Records.
Tubman Museum
Located in Macon, this institution focuses on African American art, history, and culture.
Wilford Stroud
He is an artist whose portrait of a family member was included in the donation.
Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum
This national museum currently holds a skirt owned by Galloway's ancestor.
The details
Galloway retrieved the artifacts from a secret compartment hidden inside a trunk belonging to her grandmother. The donation includes personal records of her time recording music at Philadelphia International Records, including a song written about the 1979-1981 Atlanta Child Murders.
Timeline
The ancestor's skirt was created between 1850 and 1875.
Galloway attended her prom at L. H. Williams School in 1957.
Galloway inherited these family items in 1977.
The Atlanta Child Murders occurred between 1979 and 1981.
The donated items will be displayed at the Tubman Museum over the next few months.
Culture Shift
The donation follows a growing trend of families actively seeking institutional archives to preserve the material history of the African American experience. This shift ensures that personal histories are woven into larger institutional narratives rather than lost to time.
Residents of Macon will have the opportunity to view these newly donated items as they are integrated into two upcoming exhibits at the Tubman Museum. The collection provides the community with a direct connection to local history spanning over a century.
The takeaway
Preserving family heirlooms ensures that personal narratives contribute to a broader understanding of history for future generations. Individuals looking to archive their own family collections should contact local museums early to discuss potential curation and donation processes.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural preservation in Macon African-American.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WGXA.
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