In 1935, the Tillamook County Pioneer Association (TCPA) felt the need and saw the opportunity to create a museum. The collection began with just 400 items displayed for the public in a single room at the former Tillamook County Courthouse.
To celebrate its 91st birthday, the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum (TCPM) is offering free admission on Saturday, April 25 from 10 am – 4 pm. Visitors are invited to tour the museum, including the temporary exhibit “Launching Through the Surf: The Dory Fleet of Pacific City” and enjoy some treats.
“The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum is celebrating, not only its existence, but the long-standing support from the community,” TCPM Director Peyton Tracy said. “Back in 1935, a group of citizens had the foresight to begin documenting and preserving local history, and that dedication to perseverance has continued to direct our work decades later.”
TCPA and their volunteers operated the museum until 1945. For the first ten years, the Museum emphasized local 19th century history, as they actively sought out artifacts to suit specific exhibits.
In 1945, TCPA stepped back from the museum and Tillamook County took over the Museum’s operation. For the next 40 years, the County ran the facility and provided funding and financial management for the museum.
In 1985, the County ended its funding of the Museum. In response to the County’s decision, TCPA and other concerned citizens came together to find a way to keep the museum open. Tillamook County allowed for the continual use of the second courthouse for a nominal fee.
In response, voters passed a levy in November 1985 to fund the museum until July 1, 1996. In 1985, TCPM also established the Tillamook Pioneer Museum Foundation to control and operate the museum as a 501(c)(3) organization.
In May 1996, voters again signaled their support by voting to establish a County Historical Fund with $.08 per thousand true cash value of permanent funding for the museum.
Since 2009, the Tillamook County Commissioners and the members of the County’s budget committee have financed a portion of the Museum’s operating budget.
Today, TCPM has 19 exhibit areas, with over 55,000 artifacts and 20,000 photographs in its collection. TCPM is also the steward of over two miles of interpretive trails and 200 acres of property at Kilchis Point.