Land Acknowledgement
The Burke Museum stands on the lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, whose ancestors resided here since time immemorial. Many Indigenous peoples thrive in this place—alive and strong.
16 Million Objects, Infinite Stories
The Burke’s collections help sustain cultural traditions, enable groundbreaking scientific research, and advance conversations that matter to us all today.
The collections are records of our past and investments in our future. The Museum’s curators—faculty members at the University of Washington—grow collections in the anticipation of change: continued disruption to ecosystems, shifting cultural landscapes and advances in technology we have yet to imagine.
Students, researchers, artists and community members draw on the collections to build knowledge of our world—and address challenges facing communities in the Pacific Northwest and around the globe.
Our Mission
The Burke Museum cares for and shares natural and cultural collections so all people can learn, be inspired, generate knowledge, feel joy, and heal.
Equity & Inclusion
The Burke Museum is a public resource committed to building an inclusive environment that welcomes and values all people.
We foster a culture of equity, collaboration, accessibility and responsible interpretation. We also recognize the educational and institutional benefits of diversity and value the unique backgrounds of everyone who uses the museum. In an effort to further our values, we will continue to develop inclusive programming to remain relevant and serve our communities with integrity.
The New Burke
With working labs you can see into, one-of-a-kind objects all around you, and galleries filled with curiosity and conversation, it’s a new kind of museum—and a whole new way to experience our world.
Annual Reports
See a snapshot of the Burke
through highlights from past years
Affiliations
Volunteer at the Burke
Our generous volunteers contribute to scientific discoveries and cultural knowledge, meet people with similar interests, and help visitors connect to the world around them. Join us today!
