The museum's collection contains over 2,000 original works by noted American illustrators such as Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, J. C. Leyendecker, N.C. Wyeth, and others.

[3] Prior to that, Goffman Cutler had worked as an art dealer and owned the American Illustrators Gallery but subsequently transferred her personal collection to the museum after selling items to George Lucas.

[citation needed] In 2016 the grounds, which include several Rhode Island State Champion trees, were recognized as a level 1 arboretum by ArbNet.

[11][12] The NMAI features original art created by illustrators such as Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, Howard Pyle, J. C. Leyendecker, and Jessie Willcox Smith.

The illustrators created images integral to American culture, ranging from the New Year’s Baby to Uncle Sam.