Tillamook Air Museum Announces Partnership with Vintage Aviation Museum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TILLAMOOK, Oregon- August 20, 2026 — The Port of Tillamook Bay Commissioners have approved a term sheet for the land lease and future sale of Tillamook’s historic World War II-era Hangar B to Vintage Aviation Museum, a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

With Vintage Aviation Museum set to assume operation of the Museum from the Port of Tillamook Bay and become its future owner and operator, an exciting new chapter is beginning for the Museum. But one important thing will not change: we will continue to be the Tillamook Air Museum.

Our identity is deeply connected to Tillamook, Naval Air Station Tillamook, historic Hangar B, and the people and stories that have shaped this remarkable place for more than eight decades. Preserving and sharing that history will remain at the heart of everything we do.

Work is already beginning behind the scenes as we are preparing to welcome visitors back to the museum. We look forward to sharing a reopening date as plans move forward.

Vintage Aviation Museum plans to relocate most of its aircraft collection to Tillamook, bringing additional historic aircraft to Hangar B and expanding the Museum’s aviation collection. Looking ahead, the vision is to utilize the entire historic blimp hangar for aviation-related exhibits, aircraft displays, preservation, education, and visitor experiences.

The future of historic Hangar B will remain a priority. Following the Museum’s reopening, efforts will continue toward the repair, restoration, and long-term preservation of this extraordinary piece of Oregon and American aviation history so that it can be preserved and enjoyed by visitors for generations to come.

At the Tillamook Air Museum, we have always believed in thinking big, taking chances, and finding new ways to bring aviation history to life. Operating as part of a nonprofit organization will provide greater flexibility to pursue new opportunities, partnerships, funding sources, and projects as the Museum moves forward. Visitors can expect us to keep pursuing ambitious projects exploring new ideas and creating opportunities that keep the Museum moving forward.

Just as importantly, we will continue strengthening our connection with the community we call home. Education and outreach will remain an important part of our mission, including working with local schools and developing partnerships throughout our community.

We want to recognize and thank the Port of Tillamook Bay, which has owned and operated the Tillamook Air Museum for more than a decade. We have enjoyed a strong and supportive relationship with the Port, and the Museum would not be what it is today without their trust, support, and belief in our mission. We are deeply grateful for everything they have done to help us grow and look forward to continuing that relationship into the future.

Our relationship with the Friends of the Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM) will remain an important part of our future. FOTAM’s volunteers have provided tremendous support to the museum and its mission, and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication and hard work. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with FOTAM as we move forward together.

For those who would like to be part of this next chapter, contributions to Vintage Aviation Museum can help support exhibit preparation, restoration, and other work associated with preparing the Tillamook Air Museum to once again welcome the public.

Support the Tillamook Air Museum through Vintage Aviation Museum:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7577fb8f-4c8d-4f84-94d9-7dbdd9408746

We look forward to what comes next and, most importantly, to welcoming you back to the Tillamook Air Museum.

Additional information, including updates on our progress and a reopening date, will be shared as plans move forward.

About Vintage Aviation Museum

The Vintage Aviation Museum is a Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic aircraft, aviation artifacts, and the stories of the people who shaped aviation history. Through preservation, education, exhibits, and visitor experiences, the museum works to ensure that America’s aviation heritage remains accessible to future generations.

About Tillamook Air Museum

Housed in historic World War II-era Hangar B, the Tillamook Air Museum is a dynamic and ever-changing aviation museum dedicated to bringing history to life. Featuring a diverse collection of historic aircraft, immersive displays, hands-on interactive exhibits, and unique visitor experiences, the museum shares the remarkable story of Naval Air Station Tillamook while exploring aviation and military history from across the nation and around the world. The Tillamook Air Museum believes history should be experienced, not simply observed, and continues to find new and exciting ways to make the past accessible, educational, and fun for visitors of all ages.

Media Contacts

 Sean O’Brien                                                                    Christian Gurling
President, Vintage Aviation Museum                 Museum Curator, Tillamook Air Museum
503-569-4387                                                                 503-842-5793
Vintageaviationmuseum@yahoo.com               CGurling@Tillamookair.com

 

Michele Bradley
General Manager, Port of Tillamook Bay
503-354-8043
mbradley@potb.org