The museum houses more than 5,000 objects ranging from antiquity through contemporary eras, including rare old master paintings and a comprehensive collection of prints, drawings, and photographs.

In the 1930s, fine arts were added to the collection prompted, in part, by the gifts of two Italian Renaissance paintings from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

It was administered by Jeannette Morse Genius (who also provided the funds for the building) and her husband, Dr. Hugh McKean, who later became president of Rollins College (1951–69).

In 1976, George and Harriet Cornell donated the funds to construct a fine arts complex that would include a new museum.

[5] The building underwent a significant expansion in 2004–5, and now includes six galleries and a print study room.