The holdings of the Albany Institute of History & Art form the best collection in the United States documenting the life and culture of the Upper Hudson Valley region from the late 17th century to the present. 

The majority of the objects in the museum's collections were either made in the Albany area or New York State, or were used and owned by documented families living in the Hudson Valley region. Many objects in the collections have national significance not only because of Albany's importance during the 18th and 19th centuries as a center for trade and commerce, but because some of America's most accomplished artists, craftsmen and customers were living in the Hudson Valley during this period.

The curatorial collections number more than 20,000 objects, including paintings (1600); drawings (1100); prints (4000); sculpture (600); furniture (500); silver (2000); pewter, copper, cast iron and other metals (500); ceramics (1200); glass (300); clothing and accessories (4000); textiles (500); and historical artifacts (5450).

Further documentation pertaining to the social, economic and cultural history of the region is provided by AIHA's library collection, which includes photographs (85,000); architectural renderings and maps (300); broadsides (300); ephemera (1000); 1000 linear feet of manuscripts; 500 linear feet of museum archives; 140,000 volumes and 125 periodicals.