• White House Curator Betty C. Monkman
    Maggie Knaus
    staff
    Residence staff
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    This photograph of White House Curator Betty C. Monkman in the State Dining Room was taken in July 2002 by Maggie Knaus for the White House Historical Association. Monkman began working in the White House Office of the Curator in 1967 as a registrar. She Would eventually be promoted to assistant curator in 1980 and curator in 1997. Monkman retired in 2002 after working 35 years at the White House, a time that spanned eight presidencies.
  • Residence Staff Works in the Blue Room
    Unknown
    staff
    State Floor
    Residence staff
    Blue Room
    In this photograph, an unidentified member of the White House Residence staff rolls up the carpet in the Blue Room. This photograph was taken in September 2002 by the White House Historical Association.
  • White House Switchboard Operators
    Len Vaughn-Lahman
    staff
    Eisenhower Executive Office Building
    Residence staff
    This photograph of White House switchboard operators was taken in June 1975 by Len Lahman during the Gerald R. Ford administration. The operators worked in the Old Executive Office Building, which was rededicated as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building by President George W. Bush in 2002. The ten-position Western Electric switchboard was installed in 1963. Switchboard operators answered thousands of calls every day.
  • Food Preparations in White House Kitchen
    Joseph J. Scherschel
    staff
    food & drink
    Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    Residence staff
    This photograph of White House Executive Chef Henry Haller was taken in April 1970 by Joseph J. Scherschel during the administration of Richard M. Nixon. Here, Chef Haller prepares beef Wellington. The White House Kitchen is located on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion.
  • White House Butler Preston Bruce in the East Room
    Unknown
    staff
    State Floor
    East Room
    Residence staff
    mantels
    restoration
    refurbishment
    This photograph is of a White House doorman, Preston Bruce, standing near a mantel in the East Room of the White House. As part of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration of White House rooms, the mantels were repainted to resemble white marble. The image was taken on August 14, 1961, by a National Geographic staff photographer for the White Historical Association's 1962 publication of "The White House: A Historic Guide". The publication serves as a companion book for tours of the White House, providing a history of the rooms, architecture, and furniture.
  • Press Preview Ahead of Japan State Dinner
    Matthew D’Agostino
    residence staff
    State Service
    State Floor
    State Dining Room
    staff
    This photograph of White House curator William G. Allman in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D’Agostino on April 27, 2015, during the Barack Obama administration. At a press preview ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan, Allman discussed the Obama’s recently revealed state china service. The Japan State Dinner would be the first official occasion where the Obama state service was used. The service included 11 pieces per setting and was designed with a modern aesthetic that was compatible and interchangeable with other historic services in the White House Collection. In a nod toward President Obama’s upbringing in Hawaii, several pieces in the service are complimented with bands of “Kailua blue”. Allman served as curator from 2002-2017.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Chefs
    Joseph H. Bailey
    residence staff
    food & drink
    White House Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    staff
    In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Chefs
    Joseph H. Bailey
    residence staff
    food & drink
    White House Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    staff
    In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (center), and chef Frank Ruta. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Chefs
    Joseph H. Bailey
    residence staff
    White House Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    staff
    In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan admires dishes prepared by White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (right) in the White House Kitchen on the Ground Floor of the Executive Mansion. As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events.
  • Mrs. Reagan with White House Chefs
    Joseph H. Bailey
    residence staff
    food & drink
    White House Kitchen
    Ground Floor
    staff
    In this photograph, taken July 30, 1982 by National Geographic photographer Joseph H. Bailey, First Lady Nancy Reagan samples dishes prepared by pastry chef Roland Mesnier (left), White House Executive Chef Henry Haller (right). As first lady, Mrs. Reagan often consulted with chefs before special events, offering suggestions for imaginative desserts such as the spun-sugar elephant and swan creations on the table.