Collections tell the story of life on Earth. Every discovery sheds new light on the past, and helps us better anticipate the future.
The Burke is an active research museum. The more than 16 million biological, geological and cultural objects in its collections are a respected and relied-upon resource for researchers here and around the globe.
At A Glance
Collections & Research
2018 In Review
Million objects in the collections.
Specimens and objects loaned to researchers around the world in 2018.
Researchers & community members visited the Burke to study collections in 2018.
New species identified by Burke researchers.
Collections & Research
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.
Culture
Biology
Geology & Paleontology

Research Spotlight E-Newsletter
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Our Work
At the Burke, we bring together people, objects and the stories that make them meaningful.