The USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum is marking its fourth annual Don Burge Day, honoring the life and career of the institution's founding director. The celebration recognizes the man who transformed the museum from a small hallway located in City Hall into one of only six accredited museums in the state.
Don Burge served as the director of the Presubseteq Museum for more than 40 years during its six-decade history. Beyond his administrative leadership, Burge was a prominent geology professor at Colorado Eastern University (CEU), where he was known for inspiring students to pursue careers in science.
According to Utah State University, Burge's interests extended far beyond the classroom and excavation sites. His diverse hobbies included learning to read Egyptian hieroglyphs, leading the Nine Mile Players on the banjo, teaching students archery equipment construction, and building and firing black-powder cannons.
The museum now operates under the direction of Tim Riley, who also serves as the Curator of Archaeology. The institution continues to focus on the study of paleontology, archaeology, and geology for all visitors.
To support the ongoing mission of the museum and honor Burge's memory, Utah State University has established a memorial fund. Family members and supporters are encouraged to donate to the Prehistoric Museum at USU Eastern in his name through various methods, including online platforms like PayPal and Venmo, or via mail to the university's Old Main Hill campus in Logan.
The Prehistoric Museum maintains a structured admission policy designed to accommodate various groups and demographics. Regular rates include $7.00 for adults aged 13 to 64, $3.00 for children aged 2 to 12, and $20.00 for families consisting of two adults and up to six dependents.
Specialized pricing is available for several groups, including $5.00 rates for seniors (65 and older), military members—including active, retired, and reserves—and college students. Children under the age of two are admitted to the museum free of charge.
The museum also provides free admission for several specific categories, including Native Americans with valid identification, EBT/SNAP/WIC program participants with ID cards, and local junior and high school students presenting their student IDs. Additionally, members of the museum receive free entry with a valid member card.
Certain programs also qualify for no-cost entry, such as the Blue Star Program, which provides access to active military members and up to five family members from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. The museum also offers free admission on select holidays, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, Independence Day, Pioneer Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, and the days after Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For organized educational visits, the museum accommodates school groups ranging from preschool to 12th grade, though these groups are required to contact the museum at least two weeks in advance. The facility also provides specific rates for tour buses.
Administrative inquiries regarding museum admissions or group tours can be directed to Christina Collingwood at the museum.
