The Port of Tillamook Bay Commissioners at their meeting August 19, 2026, approved a term sheet for the land lease and future sale of Tillamookβs 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. π½πͺπ© π€π£π ππ’π₯π€π§π©ππ£π© π©πππ£π π¬ππ‘π‘ π£π€π© ππππ£ππ: π¬π π¬ππ‘π‘ ππ€π£π©ππ£πͺπ π©π€ ππ π©ππ πππ‘π‘ππ’π€π€π πΌππ§ ππͺπ¨ππͺπ’.
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 Museumβs 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 Museumβs 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. FOTAMβs 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.
ππͺπ₯π₯π€π§π© π©ππ πππ‘π‘ππ’π€π€π πΌππ§ ππͺπ¨ππͺπ’ π©ππ§π€πͺππ πππ£π©πππ πΌπ«πππ©ππ€π£ ππͺπ¨ππͺπ’:
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.
πΌππ€πͺπ© πππ£π©πππ πΌπ«πππ©ππ€π£ ππͺπ¨ππͺπ’
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 Americaβs aviation heritage remains accessible to future generations.
πΌππ€πͺπ© πππ‘π‘ππ’π€π€π πΌππ§ ππͺπ¨ππͺπ’
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.
