by Chris Jones
The Burke Museum at the University of Washington was established in 1885 by the “Young Naturalists’ Society,” a group of teenagers passionate about studying and preserving the natural world of the Pacific Northwest. Their collection of specimens grew, and in 1899 it was officially designated as the Washington State Museum.

Today, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is dedicated to preserving and sharing our natural and cultural heritage. It serves as both a research hub and public museum and is a leader in the university museum world.
The Burke integrates the fields of archeology, anthropology, biology, and geology and engages with local Indigenous communities to research cultural history, co-curate exhibits, and preserve artifacts. After three years of construction, the museum and its 18 million biological specimens and artifacts moved to the “New Burke” in 2019. There are visible labs where visitors can watch researchers working.
More information: www.burkemuseum.org