In 1988, with the support of many dedicated citizens, the James A. Michener Art Museum opened as an independent, non-profit cultural institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the art and cultural heritage of the Bucks County region. The museum is named for Doylestown's most famous son, the Pulitzer-Prize winning writer and supporter of the arts who first dreamed of a regional art museum in the early 1960's.

Situated within the old stone walls of an historic 19th century prison in the heart of Bucks County, the museum houses a leading collection of Bucks County visual arts, along with holdings of 19th and 20th century American art. The collection includes significant works by painters of the Pennsylvania Impressionist and New Hope schools, including but not limited to Fern Coppedge, M. Elizabeth Price, Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber and Walter E. Schofield. There are also important examples of studio craft and modern and contemporary art from the greater Delaware Valley region.

Ensconced in the museum's walled, lush yard is an outdoor gallery, the Patricia D. Pfundt Sculpture Garden. Sculptures are on view in a natural setting that pays homage to the Bucks County landscape which has inspired countless artists. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, the museum presents six changing exhibitions each year, including major international touring exhibitions. These exhibitions feature a broad spectrum of artistic styles and mediums.