Emily Kimbrough Materials

This photo shows Emily with her twin daughters in 1948. Although their names were Alis and Margaret, the twins were more commonly known as A and B.

Emily Kimbrough is well known in Muncie as the author of several books, including How Dear to My Heart, her account of growing up here. But what many don’t know about Emily is that she also wrote for the magazine produced by the department store Marshall Field and served as fashion editor and later managing editor for Ladies’ Home Journal. She also co-authored with Cornelia Otis Skinner the book Our Hearts Were Young and Gay, which was adapted into a movie featuring the two women as their fictional counterparts. In all, Emily wrote sixteen books and numerous television scripts and magazine articles. She also regularly crisscrossed the country giving talks to women’s groups, alumni associations, service clubs and much more.

DCHS recently received a donation of materials that document Emily’s professional and personal lives. Included in the donation are dozens of photographs, television scripts, book manuscripts, illustrations from her books, and correspondence with everyone from hometown friends to the actress Olivia deHaviland.

Watch for more in the coming months.