Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

The Burke Museum features exhibits on the natural history of Washington and the Pacific Northwest, and the cultural history of the Pacific Rim.

The main floor of this natural history museum houses a permanent exhibit titled Life and Times of Washington State. It includes an impressive array of fossils of all kinds from leaves, trilobites, shells and footprints, to a giant mastadon. There were several dinosaur skeletons, too.

One display had at least a dozen skulls of different animals arranged by size, from a very small one up to the jaw of a mammoth. Another one that I enjoyed was a display of actual wings of birds ranging in size from a hummingbird to a bald eagle. The wings were spread out so that you could compare the wing span. Next to the wings was a complete stuffed albatross with wings spread open that dwarfed even the bald eagle wing. I've never seen one that close before and they are huge!

Downstairs was the cultural exhibit called Pacific Voices. This one contained artifacts, art, and ceremonial items from over 17 different cultures around the Pacific, including Hawaii, Korea, Japan, and Samoa among others.

There are many items of Native American origin, including several totem poles outside in front of the building that are replicas of 19th century totem poles.

Also downstairs is the Burke Museum Cafe offers pastries, sandwiches, salads, drinks, and espresso in a beautiful room lined with 18th century French pine paneling.

The museum also hosts traveling exhibits as well so be sure to check their website or call to see what's on display. We went to see Cruising the Fossil Freeway. This is a nationally-touring exhibit based on a book by Ray Troll and Kirk Johnson. Troll is an artist and his colorful artwork illustrating scenes from prehistoric times was displayed next to some of the Burke Museum's real fossils of saber-toothed cats, dinosaurs, and other animals.

The Burke is a great place to take kids. There's a lot of hands-on stuff to touch and a work area with little model dinosaurs and things. There were a lot of young kids when we went, and they were all having a great time! Plenty of room for strollers, too.

Location

The Burke Museum is located at 17th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street on the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus. It is a well-recognized museum of paleontology and archaeology and is involved with the UW's graduate program in museology. The Burke is also Washington state's oldest museum, founded in 1885.

Hours at the Burke:

• Open daily, 10am - 5pm
• First Thursday of each month, admission is free and the museum stays open until 8pm
• Closed: Christmas Day, New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day

Parking for the Burke

Parking is in a UW lot next to the museum. Enter the UW campus off of 45th on 17th Ave NE. Stop at the gatehouse, purchase a parking ticket and tell the attendant that you are going to the Burke Museum. It costs $15, but it is prorated for visits less than four hours. Be sure to stop at the gatehouse to receive your refund when you leave. We stayed about 2 hours and got $9 back. Parking is free after noon on Saturday and all day Sunday.

For more information about the Burke's collection, exhibitions, member news, programs, events, and store:
17th Avenue NE and NE 45th Street
206-543-5590
www.washington.edu/burkemuseum