Burke Museum

05/29/2026

We’re experimenting with a new lab technique! Using sheets of low temperature thermoplastic made out of an archival adhesive, we can protect portions of our dinosaur we’re not currently working on and even keep delicate areas from falling apart when moving them. When we’re ready to take the shrink wrap off we just peel it off or use acetone (nail polish remover) to dissolve it.

05/27/2026

If your first thought is “no,” consider this: When photography was invented in the early 19th century it was not considered art by many critics because the camera, a machine, was generating the image. Fossils are images of ancient living creatures generated by Earth itself via geologic processes, and like a photo, they preserve a unique visual snapshot of the past. Replacing the photographer in this metaphor is the fossil preparator, a specialist who may travel long distances to collect fossil-bearing rock and then carefully reveals the image inside by removing the parts of the rock that obscure the fossil from view. We spend a lot of time talking about the scientific value of fossils, but it is also important sometimes to appreciate their inherent aesthetic value. It’s no coincidence that fossils and more classically defined art are often housed in the same museums!

We’ve had some lively discussions here at the museum about this topic, but what do you think? Let us know in the comments.

05/19/2026

"During my time at the artist studio in Burke, I worked on a personal project that revolved around the concepts of routine and ritual in my daily life that I never questioned. Braided hair with ribbons was a requirement in most Indian schools, so it became a routine I followed throughout my childhood. Inspired by this theme, I spent my time cutting strips of recycled fabric that would then be braided to resemble hair.

Later, at the DOA Fest, I carved linoleum blocks into designs and invited people to use them to stamp their own patterns onto small squares of fabric. It was so great to see people of all ages take so much interest in making little creations of their own. I want to thank everyone who stopped by!

I am also incredibly grateful for this opportunity at the Burke Museum. Thank you for supporting my work and allowing me to share these experiences with the community!" - Devika Ajith

05/12/2026

Rod Crawford is the leading spider expert in Washington state with more than 50 years of experience in the field. He is also the curator of arachnids here at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.

Is that spider dangerous? Giant house spider is the official common name for the species of spider you see in the video and while it is technically capable of biting, its venom is not dangerous to humans, and it is known to be docile. Rod has held many giant house spiders over the years in his bare hands and has used them as a hands-on demonstration with first graders in school programs.

05/11/2026

Our very own curator of paleobotany, Caroline Strömberg, was featured on an episode of the podcast, Scientess! Listen at the link below:

https://www.scientess.org/subscribe

05/08/2026

Taha Ebrahamini is the author of “Street Trees of Seattle: An Illustrated Walking Guide” and will be giving a talk right here at the Burke on Thursday, May 14. Want to discover which neighborhood has the highest concentration of cherry street trees when cherry blossoms are at their peak? Curious how monkey puzzle trees made their way to the city? Get your tickets now: https://www.burkemuseum.org/calendar/author-talk-street-trees-seattle

05/07/2026

The Burke Museum is honored to celebrate Jacqueline “Jackie” Cook as a recipient of the Washington State Historical Society's 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award.

For decades, Jackie has contributed to cultural stewardship and supported meaningful relationships with Native communities, helping ensure their voices are reflected in the work we do. Her contributions to the Burke's exhibitions, collections, and the Native American Advisory Board, along with her role in consultations and repatriation efforts have helped guide the museum with care and responsibility.

We are grateful for her longstanding commitment to collaboration and shared stewardship.

Jackie Cook, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, has spent nearly 50 years preserving and advocating for the histories of the Co...

05/04/2026

We are deeply honored and happy to bring handmade Indigenous artistry and cultural works from Hualien, Taiwan, to the United States, and to share them with the public at the Burke Museum.
In Spring Quarter 2026, our group, coming from several Indigenous communities in Taiwan, including Paiwan, Atayal, and Pangcah/Amis, joined Margaret Yun-Pu Tu (Nikal)’s class to share experiences from our home communities and to engage in conversation with students here.

Margaret, who is also Pancah/Amis, is completing her Ph.D. at the University of Washington and is teaching JSIS A 480/589, LSJ 480/589, AIS 375 B: Indigenous Taiwan and Pacific Connections: Law, Culture, and Literature. This is the first time this course has been offered at UW, and it is especially meaningful that it is taught by an Indigenous scholar from Taiwan. In this way, the course embodies Indigenous presence, agency, and self-representation.

This course has been made possible through support from the UW Center for American Indian & Indigenous Studies (CAIIS) and the UW Taiwan Studies Program (UW-TSP) of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. These efforts help more people learn about the resilience, diversity, and living cultures of Indigenous peoples in Taiwan.

We are grateful to all the students and community members who joined us. We hope Indigenous cultures and voices can continue to be heard, understood, and respected by more people. We also sincerely thank the Burke Museum team for creating this platform for sharing.