The collections include more than 2,500 works of art housed in the former Statesman Bank building in downtown Dubuque.

From its origin, the association was concerned with collecting images and artworks that depicted Dubuque and the surrounding area.

Meetings and events continued to be held at the Dubuque Public Library, which moved to its Carnegie-Stout building in 1902.

The museum holds at least 38 works by the famous Iowa artist Grant Wood, including significant paintings.

The collection also includes hundreds of works by Arthur Geisert, an artist and illustrator of children's books.

The museum has collected a significant amount of works by Edward S. Curtis, including a full run of photogravures from his famous book "The North American Indian."