USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum Celebrates 4th Annual Don Burge Day

PRICE, Utah — The community gathered at the USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum on June 26 to celebrate the life and legacy of Don Burge during the museum's fourth annual Don Burge Day.

Observed on Burge's birthday, the celebration honors the man whose vision and leadership helped shape one of Eastern Utah's most treasured cultural institutions. Burge played a pivotal role in founding the museum in 1961 and served as its director for more than 40 years, leaving an impact that continues to inspire generations of visitors, students, researchers and museum staff.

Visitors enjoyed free admission throughout the day, exploring the museum's exhibits while learning more about Burge's remarkable contributions. The first 100 guests also received a limited-edition Utah mammoth commemorative pin created especially for this year's celebration.

Throughout the day guests visited the Don L. Burge Room in the Hall of Archaeology, where memorabilia from Burge's life and career remain on display. Many also stopped to see Gastonia burgei, the armored dinosaur species named in honor of Don Burge and Rob Gaston. The dinosaur displayed in the Hall of Paleontology recently gained national attention after being featured in the PBS series Walking with Dinosaurs during the episode "Band of Brothers."

One of the afternoon's highlights was the annual folk music jam from 2-4 p.m. Local musicians filled the Hall of Archaeology with the sounds of acoustic instruments honoring Burge's lifelong love of folk music and his favorite instrument, the banjo. Whether performing or simply listening, attendees shared an afternoon that reflected the warmth, curiosity and sense of community that Burge fostered throughout his life.

New to this year's celebration was a Museum Members Cookout celebrating Burge's enduring influence while strengthening the museum community he helped build.