Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

Scientists have uncovered Washington's first dinosaur fossil, in a state park on the San Juan Islands.

A fragmented femur bone hidden underwater for millions of years has provided the first evidence that a dinosaur once roamed Washington state.

The leg bone weighs 15 pounds, is 16.7 inches and is the first dinosaur fossil found in Washington. Much of the region was under water during that era 80 million years ago.

Bring your treasures to the Burke Museum on May 9 to learn more about them from the Burke's experts.

The Burke Museum served as matchmaker and mentor for a project linking museums in Suquamish, Washington and Palawan Island, Philippines.

A century ago, plastic was an exciting new discovery. Now it is used everywhere, from toys to food containers to medical supplies. The Burke Museum's Plastics Unwrapped exhibit explores our complicated relationship with plastic.

A year-long cultural exchange between the indigenous Ainu community of Japan and several Washington State tribal groups, organized by the Burke Museum, culminated with a memorable canoe journey.

A new Tribal Museum Program is now offered through the Northwest Indian College, thanks to the vision of UW Professor Emeritus James Nason and the involvement of Burke Museum staff. 

Burke Museum staff travel to schools across the state to introduce the museum's collections to young students. 

Students learn about hidden treasures at the Burke Museum and then design activities to share their knowledge with Burke visitors. 

Connie Eggers loves seeing families come through the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Eggers is a visitor services specialist at the Burke, part of a rotating team that works at the museum’s front desk.