Betty C. Monkman

Betty Monkman was born in Bottineau, North Dakota on August 24, 1942. After graduating from the University of North Dakota, Monkman worked as a public school teacher before moving to Washington, D.C. and working for D.C. Public Library.¹ 

In 1967, she joined the White House Office of the Curator as a registrar. While at the White House, she earned her M.A. in American Studies from George Washington University and rose through the ranks of the curatorial staff; she was promoted to assistant curator in 1980 and curator in 1997.² In this role, Monkman cared for the historic fine and decorative arts collection, provided tours for presidents and their guests, and shared White House history through public speaking engagements, museum exhibits, publications, and more. Monkman experienced major moments in history, from hearing Vietnam War protests outside the White House to watching President Richard Nixon’s resignation.³ 

She had a lasting impact on the White House Collection, leading efforts for the site to become an accredited museum recognized by the American Alliance of Museums in 1988.⁴ She also authored several books on White House history for the White House Historical Association, including The White House: Its Historic Furnishings and First Families, The Living White House, and Furnishing the White House, the Decorative Arts Collection. Monkman retired from the White House in 2002 and continued to act as a scholarly resource on the White House. She died on January 7, 2025.⁵