Alice Guild
A transplant from the Bay State, she arrived in Winter Park in 1883 with her parents
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 16, 1860, Alice Guild loved the arts. She graduated from the Massachusetts North Art School in Boston and planned on creating a career in the arts in her beloved Boston. She fully intended to open her own art studio there. But, her life took another course and she was transplanted to Central Florida.
In 1883, her father's health concerns caused him to move the family from Massachusetts to Florida. She arrived in Winter Park with father William, mother Laura, and sister Clara. She was 23 years of age at the time.
Rollins College was in its infancy, and Dr. Edward Hooker (then president of the college) called on Alice for help. At his request, she organized the first Art Department at the college in 1886. She remained at Rollins for 12 years, teaching art to Rollins' students.
As adults, Alice and her sister Clara resided at 419 N. Interlachen for many years. Alice was an active member of many Winter Park organizations: the Congregational Church, the Fortnightly Club, the Winter Park Horticulture Association, and a reading circle which ultimately became the Winter Park Circulating Library Association.
She died on June 28, 1949 after a long illness. She died in the home on Interlachen Avenue that she shared with her sister for so many years.
This article was written by former archivist, Barbara White, MLIS.
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