The National Museum of American Illustration (NMAI) was founded in 1998 by Judy Goffman Cutler and Laurence S. Cutler to house their art collection from the "Golden Age of American Illustration".

Following graduation from the University of Pennsylvania with dual degrees in Fine Arts and American Civilization, Judy began her career as an art dealer/collector by recognizing early on the value of American illustration as an important part of its national heritage.