The museum's permanent collection includes over 4,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, works on paper, and decorative arts objects.

According to Fortune Magazine, “a number of Milbanks have been considerable figures in the industrial history of the U.S. and the family has also left its mark on the educational and medical institutions of the country…” (May 1959).

She donated a library to Greenwich, Connecticut, and gave three blocks of choice New York City land to Barnard College, upon which was built Milbank Hall.

In the late 1990s, the foundation undertook a major capital campaign to fund the complete restoration of the historic facilities, relocation of the carriage house and construction of a new two-story exhibition pavilion.

In Long Beach, they designed the Ocean Center Building, Walker's Department Store, and the Fox West Coast Theater (now demolished).

Since 1999, the Museum has provided education through its KidsVisions Program to all fifth grade students in the Long Beach Unified School District.

The program content follows the guidelines of the National, State, and Long Beach School District Standards for Visual and Performing Arts.