Emelyn (Hemmie) Sheffield Gilmore, 1958 Graduate
Assorted memorabilia, Hollins Abroad Paris, 1956-1957
Emelyn (Hemmie) Sheffield Gilmore was a Hollins University student who spent an academic year abroad from 1956-1957 through the school's old Hollins Abroad program. During her time abroad, Hemmie collected all sorts of objects to take home as a reminder of her time. She referred to herself as a “keeper,” someone who enjoys collecting and preserving things as reminders. Though Hemmie doesn't just have marital souvenirs, she also gained countless priceless memories to share with friends and family. During her year abroad, Hemmie wrote many letters to her family, who appreciated the letters so much that they had them printed in the local newspaper. While on a three-month bus tour, Hemmie kept a diary that she wrote in every day during the duration of the trip. She wrote down her immediate impressions of the experiences she had during the trip. While celebrating Christmas abroad, she was gifted a little stuffed donkey, known as a “Petit Ane” in French. This was a gift she received from her friend and roommate, Sue Switzer.
—Lisa-Marie Bastian ‘25
Emelyn (Hemmie) Sheffield Gilmore, 1958 Graduate
Charm bracelet, Hollins Abroad Paris, 1956-1957
These charm bracelets are adorned with charms representing the various countries Emelyn (Hemmie) Sheffield Gilmore visited during her study abroad experience. The two most valuable charms are made from 14-karat gold.
—Nicole Newcomb ‘28
Emelyn (Hemmie) Sheffield Gilmore, 1958 Graduate
Wash and Wear Dress, Hollins Abroad Paris, 1956-1957
“…the new "Wash & Wear” [dress] was often worn during our 3-month summer European Tour [and] shared with my friend "Skippy" Eleanor Meeker. She could still fit in it at our 30th year reunion in 1996!”
This sleeveless dress was gifted by Hemmie’s mother and worn throughout the 1956-1957 Summer Tour. The new “wash and wear” material allowed for ease of washing during the busy traveling schedule – so easy that Sheffield’s friend and roommate Eleanor “Skippy” Meeker also wore it throughout the summer. At their thirty-year reunion in 1996, Hemmie brought the dress to show the group, and Skippy wore it during the celebration.
—Addie Silberhorn ‘26