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Museums

Rich in heritage and culture, the Mahoning Valley is home to several top museums in the northeast Ohio region. Included among them is the internationally-known Butler Institute of American Art. The Butler is the only museum dedicated exclusively to American Art, with works spanning a full two centuries. Within walking distance are five other unique museums, most of them surrounding the beautiful campus of Youngstown State University.

 

Spend a day exploring the treasures of The Butler Institute of American Art. Internationally known as “America’s Museum”, The Butler is the first museum dedicated to housing works created by citizens of our country. Constructed of Georgian marble, the original museum structure is considered an architectural masterpiece, and is listed as a landmark on the National Registry of Historic Places. Their ever-expanding collection now exceeds 20,000 works. In 2000, Beecher Center, one of the first structures in America built for the display of digital and electronic art, was dedicated. In 2002, the Andrews Pavilion was added and includes a sculpture atrium, Winslow’s Café and an expanded Museum Gift Shop.

 

Greystone, the Arms Family Museum, highlights Mahoning Valley history. Artifacts help the visitor understand the way of life in the Mahoning Valley for different people at different times.

 

The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor, operated by the Ohio Historical Society, provides a dramatic overview of the impact of the iron and steel industry on Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Designed by noted architect Michael Graves, the museums’ exhibits combine artifacts, videotaped interviews and full-scale recreations of the places where steelworkers lived and worked.

 

The McDonough Museum of Art at Youngstown State University functions as a center for contemporary art, ideas and education, featuring exhibitions in all media, experimental installations, performance, and
regional outreach programs. The Museum supports student, faculty, and alumni work.

The Melnick Medical Museum, also at Youngstown State University, houses approximately 20,000 items that chronicle the history and practice of medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy from the 1700s to the present.

The Children’s Museum of the Valley, located in downtown Youngstown, is a hands-on, welcoming place where children and adults who accompany them can explore their world in an environment of learning through creative play. Educational exhibits and interactive activities offer guests a place where children play to learn and adults learn to play.

Loghurst Farm Museum, located in Canfield and operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society, is thought to be the oldest remaining log house in the region. Visitors can experience Western Reserve life from pioneer settlement and secret Underground Railroad activity, to the days of a 1900s truck farm, plus everything in between.

 

Nearby Museums:

The National McKinley Birthplace Memorial, located in Niles, OH, honors the 25th President of the United States. The memorial houses the McKinley Memorial Library and the McKinley Museum. In the center of the Memorial is a Court of Honor supported by 28 imposing columns. It features a heroic statue of McKinley surrounded by busts and tablets dedicated to the members of McKinley’s cabinet and other prominent men. The Museum contains artifacts of the life and presidency of McKinley, Civil War and Spanish-American War artifacts, campaign materials, and presidential items.

The National Packard Museum, located in Warren, OH, features the history of the Packard family, the Packard Motor Car and other Packard enterprises.