Betty Monkman Remembered

Colleagues recall curator’s ‘infectious’ interest in the White House.

Betty Monkman, former chief White House curator (1997-2002) died on Jan. 7. (Photo: White House Historical Association)

Betty Monkman, whose career in the White House spanned eight presidencies, rose to chief curator in 1997 and played a key role in transforming and growing the residence’s world renowned museum collection, securing its first museum accreditation and writing authoritative books on the collection.

Monkman died on Jan. 7 at the age of 82. But, colleagues who worked alongside her during her long and dedicated career say she was precise and committed to the preservation of thousands of artistic and decorative pieces that make up the collection inside the White House. To them, her work from the Lyndon B. Johnson to George W. Bush administration was inspirational.

“She was a good leader, a good, precise thinker, well versed, well read, well studied about every topic related to the White House,” William Allman, former White House chief curator (2002-2017), tells East Wing Magazi…