Alice Orme Smith

Alice Orme Smith (February 26, 1889 – April 4, 1980) was a nurse during World War I who later became an architect.

She made many contributions to the Presbyterian Unit Base Hospital nursing unit in which, under the command of General John J. Pershing, they were required to work for several days under live fire. This led to Smith being awarded with a Croix de Guerre with bronze star for her bravery.

Smith also earned an M.L.A. degree while studying under a variety of architects. She designed the Main Vista and the Garden of Religion at the World's Fair, as well as many estates.

Biography Smith was born on February 26, 1889, in Normal, Illinois. She was the third oldest child of six siblings born to Mary Bernadine Orme and Dudley Chase Smith. Her parents were philanthropists within their community and both Smith's grandfather and her father served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Smith graduated from University High School in Normal in 1907 and in 1911 graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Smith died at 91 years old in Fairfield, Connecticut, on April 4, 1980.

World War I service Smith served as a nurse during World War I from May 1917 until February 1919 alongside American, British, and French forces.

Once the Armistice was reached, Alice's unit moved on to other needed areas, but not before giving 400 Americans last rites. Under the command of General John J. Pershing, Smith's unit was awarded commendation. as well as the walled Chinese garden at John D. Rockefeller's estate in Maine. the Garden of Today and the Garden of Religion for the 1939 New York World's Fair, as well as the grounds of the Bridgeport Museum of Art, Science and Industry.

Awards

Smith was awarded the Croix de Guerre with bronze star for her military service.

In 1939, Smith won an award from the New York Times for her designs of the Main Vista and the Garden of Religion at the World's Fair in New York.

In 1973, Smith was awarded the Smith College medal for "bringing men and nature into harmony in landscape."

in 1974, Smith was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architecture.

Smith also won medals for New York Horticultural society and the Garden Club of America.