[5] Among the most celebrated works in the Butler's permanent collection is Winslow Homer's Snap the Whip, a famed tribute to the era of the one-room schoolhouse.

Meanwhile, the gallery of modern art features a striking, life-sized painting by Alfred Leslie titled, Americans: Youngstown, Ohio, which depicts personalities connected with the Butler as they appeared in the 1970s.

A 19,000-square-foot (1,800 m2) south wing, the Beecher Center, was constructed in conjunction with Youngstown State University in 2000 with a focus of uniting technology and art.

Two years later, the 3,400-square-foot (320 m2) Andrews Pavilion, featuring a sculpture atrium, gift shop, and café, was added to the rear of the facility.

All of the money raised from the auction went to the hiring of scholars to produce an updated catalog of all the pieces of art in the museum and[7] its cost of publication.