Burke Museum Association

Founded in 1885 and designated the State Museum in 1899, the Burke Museum is the oldest public museum in Washington. The 18 million+ objects housed in the Burke collections help sustain cultural traditions, enable groundbreaking scientific research, and advance important conversations about the world around us. 

Burke staff and community partners provide hands-on science and culture education, conduct original research  preserve our shared heritage, and develop tools for state and federal agencies. University of Washington undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, artists, and community members draw on the collections and the knowledge they embody to build understanding, create relationships, and address challenges facing communities in the Pacific Northwest and around the globe. 

The Burke Museum Association (BMA) is a separate 501(c)(3) that actively supports the Burke Museum by raising funds for programming and growth. We invite you to be part of the museum's success by making a gift of any size the the Burke Annual Fund today! Your generosity will help us present another year of engaging exhibits, innovative research, and inspiring education programs for learners of all ages. Now, more than ever, we need your support to help us meet our mission. Thank you for helping us do the daily work that keeps the museum open for all to enjoy.