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Save Hangar B: Preserving a Historical Legend
The Mission
Hangar B is more than just a building; it is one of the world's largest wooden structures and a standing testament to WWII history, as well as an engineering marvel. Following its sudden closure due to structural concerns, we are racing against time to assess, protect, and ultimately restore this architectural wonder through hangar preservation efforts. Hangar B was built to defend America when we needed it—now it needs us to act. You can donate to save Hangar B, ensuring that if it falls, a piece of history does not fall with it.
The Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM), a 501(c)3 non-profit, is working tirelessly alongside the Port of Tillamook Bay to ensure that Hangar B doesn't just become a memory. We need your help to bridge the gap between emergency stabilization and long-term restoration.
The Situation: Where We Stand
How our team has already mobilized to protect the site and the history within it:
- The museum artifacts and tenants have been relocated to secure, weather-protected locations, while the aircraft remain inside Historic Hangar B, where they continue to be monitored and protected.
- High-Tech Assessment: We have completed professional LiDAR drone scanning (donated in part by Hawk Ridge Systems) to map every inch of the structure’s current state.
- Site Security: 1,500 feet of safety fencing has been installed to protect the site ($23,000 investment).
- The large section of storm-damaged roofing at the southeast end of the hangar will be removed beginning in early August, followed by asbestos abatement. This is an important first step toward the long-term preservation of Hangar B.
The Financial Reality
Transparency is our priority. Preservation on this scale is a massive undertaking. While the Port has applied for FEMA Public Assistance funding, the review process takes time. One of FOTAM’s goals is helping raise the required 25% local match.
Your donations today go toward the immediate "boots-on-the-ground" phases:
- Structural Assessment & Viability: $500K – $1M
- Immediate Damage Repair: $2M – $4M
- Full Restoration Goal: $300M
The Alternative? Demolition alone is estimated to cost between $50M and $70M. We believe those funds are better spent on preservation rather than destruction.
How You Can Help Today
1. Donate via GoFundMe: Every dollar goes directly toward the repair and future restoration of Hangar B.
2. Shop the Museum: Support us by purchasing from our online store at https://www.tillamookair.com/shop
3. Spread the Word: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @SaveHangarB and share this campaign with history buffs, pilots, and preservationists.
4. Visit the new FOTAM website (www.savehangarb.org) to learn more about the organization’s mission and preservation efforts.
5. Visit the Tillamook Air Museum website (www.tillamookair.com) to learn more about the museum.
Where to Send Mail-in Donations:
C/O Friends of Tillamook Air Museum
4000 Blimp Blvd., Suite 100
Tillamook, OR 97141
(This is the Museum’s temporary administrative office, as the museum remains closed).
Thank you for helping us keep history standing. Together, we can Save Hangar B!