The American Painting collection was established by Bartlett Arkell, founder of the Beech-Nut Packing Company. He collected works created by leading late 19th- and early 20th-century American artists.
The collection includes 21 works by Winslow Homer, andnotable paintings by George Inness, William M. Chase, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Andrew Wyeth, Maurice Prendergast, Robert Henri, and other members of The Eight.
The Museum also holds Mohawk Valley history material that includes photographs, diaries, letters, and portraits of individuals and businesses of both local and national importance.