The historic Hangar B at the Port of Tillamook Bay sustained damage to a 200 foot section of the buildings roof in mid-December, 2025. The Air Museum and the buiding was immediately closed, and inspections began to determine next steps.
Representatives from project management firm Turner and Townsend Heery briefed the Port of Tillamook Bay’s board of commissioners at their February 18th meeting about the potential costs to repair or dismantle Hangar B that currently houses the Tillamook Air Museum
Lloyd Stoller and Damon Roche, consulting with firms who had helped with the reconstruction of Hangar One and dismantling of Hangar Three at Moffett Airfield in California, provided aballpark comparison for potential costs based on work done at Moffett Airfield and estimated a full refresh of Hangar B would take five to seven years at a cost around $300 million, and demolishing it would take three years at a of cost $50 to $70 million.
While Hangar B remains closed following the December storm damage, important work continues behind the scenes.Safety remains the top priority. Exterior fencing has now been installed around the perimeter of the Museum and the damaged areas of Hangar B to ensure public safety while assessments and stabilization efforts continue.
The Air Museum now has an online store available, offering a new way to stay connected and support the museum during this recovery period. Museum merchandise and souvenirs can be purchased at: https://www.tillamookair.com/souvenirs
** Note: There is a local pick up option available for people who live in Tillamook County and are able to pick up at The Port of Tillamook Bay office.
In addition:
• A $4 million Community-Initiated Project request has been submitted through the offices of Senator Merkley and Senator Wyden. These funds would support repair, cleanup, and site preparation efforts within Hangar B, including safety equipment and access systems such as scaffolding and lifts.
• The Port of Tillamook Bay has coordinated with Oregon Emergency Management (OEM) to document initial storm-related costs. These figures are part of a broader countywide effort submitted to the Governor. At this time, a state disaster has not yet been declared.
• Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM), a lidar drone scan of Hangar B was completed. This advanced scanning technology creates a highly detailed three-dimensional model of the structure. The data will assist engineers and preservation specialists in accurately assessing structural conditions, measuring storm impact, and developing informed repair strategies. This step is critical for responsible restoration of this historic WWII structure.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of community support and donations, no matter the size. For those who would like to make a financial contribution, there are two ways to donate:
To support ongoing Museum operations:
To contribute directly to the Friends of the Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM) “Save Hangar B” recovery campaign:
Every donation helps strengthen our ability to stabilize, assess, and plan for the future of Hangar B.
Recovery of a structure as large and historically significant as Hangar B is complex, but meaningful progress is being made. We will continue to provide updates as work advances.
Thank you for standing with us!
