{"id":36844,"date":"2026-01-30T13:02:57","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/?p=36844"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:26:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:26:33","slug":"in-honor-of-america-250-ohio-joseph-g-butler-jr-collections-of-our-nation-exhibit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/exhibition\/in-honor-of-america-250-ohio-joseph-g-butler-jr-collections-of-our-nation-exhibit\/","title":{"rendered":"In Honor of America 250 Ohio:\u00a0Joseph G. Butler,\u00a0Jr.\u00a0Collections of Our Nation\u00a0Exhibit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Honor of America 250 Ohio:&nbsp;Joseph G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr.&nbsp;Collections of Our Nation&nbsp;Exhibit<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2026, the Declaration of Independence celebrates its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/america250.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>America 250<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>looks beyond founding documents to examine another powerful expression of American identity: art.<em>&nbsp;<\/em>Revisiting the museum\u2019s inaugural 1919 collection,&nbsp;<em>America 250<\/em>&nbsp;considers how the first exclusively American art museum defined what it meant to be \u201cAmerican.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand founder Joseph G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr. as a collector, the exhibition begins by reconstructing his life and networks. Archival materials\u2014from an elegant childhood portrait to correspondence from the White House\u2014trace Mr. Butler\u2019s movement within elite political and cultural circles. For Mr. Butler, a confidant of presidents, art offered a means of asserting America\u2019s position on the global stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The exhibition then turns to the works Mr. Butler selected for his inaugural display. Many of the artists he championed were immigrants, and many of their subjects lie beyond American borders. Paintings range from Shakespearean figures to coastal seascapes abroad, underscoring how Mr. Butler envisioned American art as part of an international conversation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each artwork Mr. Butler chose advanced a claim about what American art could be. Installed throughout the museum, the&nbsp;<em>America 250<\/em>&nbsp;works form a visual trail through time, inviting visitors to retrace Mr. Butler\u2019s landmark 1919 exhibition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JButler-Birthday.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Begin the hunt here in Bacon Hall, then continue across Cushwa, Watson, Lloyd, Adler, Lipscher, and Ford Galleries to find all thirty-three works. Look out for blue tags and the America 250 seal.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Exhibit Details&nbsp;and Special Events:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>January 25, 2025 \u2013 December 19, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Special Event: March 26, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Exhibit Reception and Panel Discussion:&nbsp;<strong>America 250: The Art, Culture, and History of Joseph G. Butler, Jr.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>5:30pm refreshments in Beecher Court&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>6pm to 7pm panel discussion in Zona Auditorium&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Larry Jones, Interim Director, moderator for the event.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Panelists:<\/strong>&nbsp;Joe Lambert,&nbsp;Mr.&nbsp;Paul Rohrbaugh, Dante Bernard (Museum Educator \u2013 Mahoning Valley Historical Society), Traci Manning (Curator of Education &#8211; Mahoning Valley Historical Society).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Featured art pieces celebrating the America 250 initiative at The Butler Institute of American Art:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Portrait of J.G. Butler,\u00a0Jr. <\/em>By Ivan\u00a0Gregorovitch\u00a0Olinsky, 1920\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Did You Speak to&nbsp;Me?<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;William Merritt Chase, 1897&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Silvery Waters<\/em>, Franklin De Haven, 1916&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>By the Drovers Inn<\/em>, George Glenn Newell, 1917&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Ration Day at the Reservation,&nbsp;<\/em>Joseph Henry Sharp, 1919<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"829\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olinsky_Butler_sm-1-829x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Ivan Gregorovitch Olinsky, Portrait of J.G. Butler, Jr.,\u201d 1920, Oil on canvas mounted on board, Gift of Jonathan Warner 1920. Painting conserved by Mr. and Mrs. James Miller. \n\nLocated in the Bacon Hall Gallery, first level.\" class=\"wp-image-36851\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ivan\u00a0Gregorovitch\u00a0Olinsky,\u00a0<em>Portrait of J.G. Butler,\u00a0Jr.<\/em>, 1920, Oil on canvas mounted on board, Gift of Jonathan Warner 1920. Painting conserved by Mr. and Mrs. James Miller.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Bacon Hall Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"912\" src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chase-did-you-speak-to-me-1-1024x912.jpg\" alt=\"William Merritt Chase, Did You Speak to Me?, 1897, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921. \n\nLocated in the Watson Gallery, first level. \" class=\"wp-image-36850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chase-did-you-speak-to-me-1-980x873.jpg 980w, https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chase-did-you-speak-to-me-1-480x427.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>William Merritt Chase,&nbsp;<em>Did You Speak to&nbsp;Me?<\/em>,&nbsp;1897, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Watson Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"809\" src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Silvery_Waters-1-1024x809.jpg\" alt=\"Franklin De Haven, Silvery Waters, 1916, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1918. \n\nLocated in the Cushwa Gallery, first level.\" class=\"wp-image-36849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Silvery_Waters-1-1024x809.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Silvery_Waters-1-980x774.jpg 980w, https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Silvery_Waters-1-480x379.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Franklin De Haven,&nbsp;<em>Silvery Waters,<\/em>&nbsp;1916, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1918.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the Cushwa Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"757\" src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newell_By_the_Drovers_Inn-1-1024x757.jpg\" alt=\"George Glenn Newell, By the Drovers Inn, 1917, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1917. Adopted in memory of William Gladys Jones by Roger and Gloria Jones, 2006. \nLocated in the Cushwa Gallery, first level.\" class=\"wp-image-36848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newell_By_the_Drovers_Inn-1-980x725.jpg 980w, https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newell_By_the_Drovers_Inn-1-480x355.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>George Glenn Newell,&nbsp;<em>By the Drovers Inn<\/em>,&nbsp;1917, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1917. Adopted in memory of William Gladys Jones by Roger and Gloria&nbsp;Jones,&nbsp;2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Cushwa Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"741\" src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sharp-ration-day-at-the-reservation-1-1024x741.jpg\" alt=\"Joseph Henry Sharp, Ration Day at the Reservation, 1919, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921. \n\nLocated in the Adler Gallery, second level. \" class=\"wp-image-36852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sharp-ration-day-at-the-reservation-1-980x709.jpg 980w, https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sharp-ration-day-at-the-reservation-1-480x347.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Joseph Henry Sharp,&nbsp;<em>Ration Day at the Reservation<\/em>, 1919, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Adler Gallery, second level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">America 250 Yearlong Events and Programs at The Butler Institute of American Art&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This year at&nbsp;the Butler, our programming will proudly embrace many elements of the America 250 celebration, highlighting works from the museum\u2019s earliest years and reflecting on our rich artistic legacy. Throughout the year,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;see special program notes tied to these offerings as we celebrate this historic milestone together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Senior Art &amp; Learn&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stroller Art&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family&nbsp;Days&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Young Friends Adventure&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Known as \u201cAmerica\u2019s Museum,\u201d the Butler has been celebrating the nation\u2019s visual arts heritage since its founding in 1919. As part of the America 250 celebration, this year\u2019s programming highlights works from the museum\u2019s earliest years, connecting today\u2019s visitors with the art and stories that helped shape America\u2019s creative legacy. Featuring one of the country\u2019s most admired collections, the Butler invites you to experience these historic works up close.\u00a0\u00a0<br>\u00a0<br><a href=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/plan-your-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Visit this year and be part of the celebration<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Honor of America 250 Ohio:&nbsp;Joseph G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr.&nbsp;Collections of Our Nation&nbsp;Exhibit In 2026, the Declaration of Independence celebrates its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary.&nbsp;America 250&nbsp;looks beyond founding documents to examine another powerful expression of American identity: art.&nbsp;Revisiting the museum\u2019s inaugural 1919 collection,&nbsp;America 250&nbsp;considers how the first exclusively American art museum defined what it meant to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":378,"featured_media":36854,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":1} -->\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Honor of America 250 Ohio:&nbsp;Joseph G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr.&nbsp;Collections of Our Nation&nbsp;Exhibit<\/h1>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In 2026, the Declaration of Independence celebrates its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/america250.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>America 250<\/em><\/a><em>&nbsp;<\/em>looks beyond founding documents to examine another powerful expression of American identity: art.<em>&nbsp;<\/em>Revisiting the museum\u2019s inaugural 1919 collection,&nbsp;<em>America 250<\/em>&nbsp;considers how the first exclusively American art museum defined what it meant to be \u201cAmerican.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>To understand founder Joseph G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr. as a collector, the exhibition begins by reconstructing his life and networks. Archival materials\u2014from an elegant childhood portrait to correspondence from the White House\u2014trace Mr. Butler\u2019s movement within elite political and cultural circles. For Mr. Butler, a confidant of presidents, art offered a means of asserting America\u2019s position on the global stage.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The exhibition then turns to the works Mr. Butler selected for his inaugural display. Many of the artists he championed were immigrants, and many of their subjects lie beyond American borders. Paintings range from Shakespearean figures to coastal seascapes abroad, underscoring how Mr. Butler envisioned American art as part of an international conversation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Each artwork Mr. Butler chose advanced a claim about what American art could be. Installed throughout the museum, the&nbsp;<em>America 250<\/em>&nbsp;works form a visual trail through time, inviting visitors to retrace Mr. Butler\u2019s landmark 1919 exhibition.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:video {\"id\":36858} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/JButler-Birthday.mp4\" playsinline><\/video><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:video -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><em>Begin the hunt here in Bacon Hall, then continue across Cushwa, Watson, Lloyd, Adler, Lipscher, and Ford Galleries to find all thirty-three works. Look out for blue tags and the America 250 seal.<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Exhibit Details&nbsp;and Special Events:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>January 25, 2025 \u2013 December 19, 2026<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Special Event: March 26, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Exhibit Reception and Panel Discussion:&nbsp;<strong>America 250: The Art, Culture, and History of Joseph G. Butler, Jr.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list {\"ordered\":true,\"start\":1} -->\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>5:30pm refreshments in Beecher Court&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>6pm to 7pm panel discussion in Zona Auditorium&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Larry Jones, Interim Director, moderator for the event.<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ol>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Panelists:<\/strong>&nbsp;Joe Lambert,&nbsp;Mr.&nbsp;Paul Rohrbaugh, Dante Bernard (Museum Educator \u2013 Mahoning Valley Historical Society), Traci Manning (Curator of Education - Mahoning Valley Historical Society).<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Featured art pieces celebrating the America 250 initiative at The Butler Institute of American Art:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Portrait of J.G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr. By Ivan&nbsp;Gregorovitch&nbsp;Olinsky, 1920&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>Did You Speak to&nbsp;Me?<\/em>&nbsp;&nbsp;William Merritt Chase, 1897&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>Silvery Waters<\/em>, Franklin De Haven, 1916&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>By the Drovers Inn<\/em>, George Glenn Newell, 1917&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li><em>Ration Day at the Reservation,&nbsp;<\/em>Joseph Henry Sharp, 1919<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":36851,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\",\"align\":\"center\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Olinsky_Butler_sm-1-829x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Ivan Gregorovitch Olinsky, Portrait of J.G. Butler, Jr.,\u201d 1920, Oil on canvas mounted on board, Gift of Jonathan Warner 1920. Painting conserved by Mr. and Mrs. James Miller. \n\nLocated in the Bacon Hall Gallery, first level.\" class=\"wp-image-36851\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Ivan&nbsp;Gregorovitch&nbsp;Olinsky,&nbsp;Portrait of J.G. Butler,&nbsp;Jr.,\u201d 1920, Oil on canvas mounted on board, Gift of Jonathan Warner 1920. Painting conserved by Mr. and Mrs. James Miller.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Bacon Hall Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":36850,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/chase-did-you-speak-to-me-1-1024x912.jpg\" alt=\"William Merritt Chase, Did You Speak to Me?, 1897, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921. \n\nLocated in the Watson Gallery, first level. \" class=\"wp-image-36850\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>William Merritt Chase,&nbsp;<em>Did You Speak to&nbsp;Me?<\/em>,&nbsp;1897, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Watson Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":36849,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Silvery_Waters-1-1024x809.jpg\" alt=\"Franklin De Haven, Silvery Waters, 1916, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1918. \n\nLocated in the Cushwa Gallery, first level.\" class=\"wp-image-36849\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Franklin De Haven,&nbsp;<em>Silvery Waters,<\/em>&nbsp;1916, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1918.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Located in the Cushwa Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":36848,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Newell_By_the_Drovers_Inn-1-1024x757.jpg\" alt=\"George Glenn Newell, By the Drovers Inn, 1917, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1917. Adopted in memory of William Gladys Jones by Roger and Gloria Jones, 2006. \nLocated in the Cushwa Gallery, first level.\" class=\"wp-image-36848\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>George Glenn Newell,&nbsp;<em>By the Drovers Inn<\/em>,&nbsp;1917, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1917. Adopted in memory of William Gladys Jones by Roger and Gloria&nbsp;Jones,&nbsp;2006.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Cushwa Gallery, first level.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:image {\"id\":36852,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} -->\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sharp-ration-day-at-the-reservation-1-1024x741.jpg\" alt=\"Joseph Henry Sharp, Ration Day at the Reservation, 1919, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921. \n\nLocated in the Adler Gallery, second level. \" class=\"wp-image-36852\"\/><\/figure>\n<!-- \/wp:image -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Joseph Henry Sharp,&nbsp;<em>Ration Day at the Reservation<\/em>, 1919, Oil on canvas, Museum purchase 1921.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Located in the&nbsp;Adler Gallery, second level.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">America 250 Yearlong Events and Programs at The Butler Institute of American Art\u00a0<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>This year at&nbsp;the Butler, our programming will proudly embrace many elements of the America 250 celebration, highlighting works from the museum\u2019s earliest years and reflecting on our rich artistic legacy. Throughout the year,&nbsp;you\u2019ll&nbsp;see special program notes tied to these offerings as we celebrate this historic milestone together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:list -->\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Senior Art &amp; Learn&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Stroller Art&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Family&nbsp;Days&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item -->\n\n<!-- wp:list-item -->\n<li>Young Friends Adventure&nbsp;<\/li>\n<!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/ul>\n<!-- \/wp:list -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Known as \u201cAmerica\u2019s Museum,\u201d The Butler has been celebrating the nation\u2019s visual arts heritage since its founding in 1919. As part of the America 250 celebration, this year\u2019s programming highlights works from the museum\u2019s earliest years, connecting today\u2019s visitors with the art and stories that helped shape America\u2019s creative legacy. Featuring one of the country\u2019s most admired collections, the Butler invites you to experience these historic works up close.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br><a href=\"https:\/\/butlerart.com\/plan-your-visit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Visit this year and be part of the celebration<\/strong><\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[88,90],"class_list":["post-36844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exhibition","tag-america-250","tag-american-art"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>America 250 at The Butler: Joseph G. Butler Jr. and the Birth of American Art<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore America 250 at The Butler Institute of American Art, featuring Joseph G. 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