Betty C. Monkman

Betty C. Monkman was the White House Curator from 1997 to 2002, appointed by President Bill Clinton and continuing her position under President George W. Bush. She is also the author of the 2000 book The White House: Its Historic Furnishings & First Families, which she wrote while in office under President Clinton. The Washington Post wrote of the book that, "The changing tastes of the nation are illustrated by marble- topped pier tables, gilded mantel clocks and china patterns. There is a little something of each first family in the house: a sugar bowl belonging to Martha Washington, a jewel-encrusted Persian prayer rug given to President Theodore Roosevelt, a coverlet crocheted by first lady Grace Coolidge."