The collection originally housed in the South Stevens attic was curated by Richard Emerick, UMaine's first Professor of Anthropology who used his collection to teach students. These artifacts were collected during Emerick's fieldwork and arranged by him in the attic for display. It wasn't until 1963 that Emerick was able to open a formal anthropological museum, the predecessor to the Hudson Museum, full of his own collections, loans from other museums such as the Harvard Peabody Museum, and gifts from locals, alumni, and students alike.

The Hudson Museum, housed in the Maine Center for the Arts, was designed by Eaton Tarbell and officially opened on November 2nd, 1986. Directed by Richard Emerick, the Hudson Museum was made possible by two important donations: the William P. Palmer, III Collection of Pre-Columbian and Northwest Coast artifacts, and the J. Russell Hudson bequest in honor of his wife. Upon its opening, the Hudson Museum frequently held tours, events, published a newsletter and even had a museum shop for visitors. Much like today, the museum hosted special rotating exhibits.

The modern version of the museum took shape from 2007-2009 when the building was renovated and renamed the Collins Center for the Arts. While the Hudson Museum no longer has a gift shop and its exhibits have been redesigned, it continues to serve the goals of Emerick's original museum. One of the most important aspects of the Hudson Museum at its opening was its presentation of cultures from around the world. Prominent today and in the first days of the museum was also a focus on Wabanaki peoples, with whom the museum works closely on issues of repatriation, education of visitors through exhibits, and events such as the Annual Wabanaki Winter Market, held every year on the second Saturday in December.