Curator William Allman to Retire After Forty Years at the White House
William Allman Photo: Katherine Frey
White House curator William Allman has announced that he plans to step down, after forty years of service, Krissah Thompson and Jura Koncius of the Washington Post report. Allman’s retirement follows the dismissal of the chief White House usher Angella Reid, leaving vacant two senior positions of the White House’s permanent staff.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve eight presidents and first ladies in helping to preserve and beautify the White House, and maintain and interpret its wonderful collections of art and furnishings,” Allman said in a statement. “As a steward of the museum component of an ever-evolving and ever-bustling home and office, I truly have had a dream job.”
Allman worked closely with first ladies Laura Bush, with whom he collaborated on the restoration of the Lincoln Bedroom, and Michelle Obama, with whom he redecorated the Family Dining Room by adding modern art by artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Alma Thomas, and Josef Albers. While Allman has been planning to retire for some time, he stayed on during the Trump family’s first days in the White House to help them through the transition. First Lady Melania Trump selected Tham Kannalikham, a New York designer who got her start at Ralph Lauren Home, to help her update the presidential mansion to her family’s tastes. “We thank Bill for all of his dedicated service and wish him the very best in his retirement,” she said in a statement.
