Tillamook Air Museum

What Tillamook Air Museum does

Tillamook Air Museum is a nonprofit aviation heritage museum in Tillamook, Oregon, housed in the historic WWII-era Hangar B, one of the largest clear-span wooden structures in the world. The museum preserves and exhibits a collection of more than 30 aircraft spanning American military aviation history, including an F-14 Tomcat and a B-52 cockpit section, sourced in part through loan partnerships with the National Naval Aviation Museum, the National Museum of the USAF, and other institutional collections. The site operates under a partnership with the Port of Tillamook Bay on approximately 5 acres adjacent to the Tillamook coastal tourism corridor, drawing visitors in combination with the nearby Tillamook Creamery.

The museum's business model is that of a public attraction and contributed-revenue nonprofit. Direct revenue is generated through tiered admission pricing ranging from $4.50 for military, senior, and child tickets to $14 for a premium access pass, supplemented by guided hangar tours, annual memberships, and an on-site gift shop. The organization also sells branded merchandise, including a novelty disc golf disc product line, through a recently launched online store that extends sales beyond physical visitation. Contributed revenue is coordinated through the Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM), which runs donation campaigns, membership drives, and emergency fundraising appeals. Operations are led by a small management team including Museum Director Rita Welch and Curator Christian Gurling.

As of December 2025, the museum is closed due to storm damage affecting the Hangar B structure. The closure halts admissions, tours, and on-site retail, while FOTAM has activated an emergency donation campaign to fund restoration. Aircraft preservation partnerships with Scroggins Aviation and reciprocal loan arrangements with multiple national aviation museums remain in place through the closure, supporting long-term collection integrity and a planned reopening.

Name

Tillamook Air Museum

Legal name

Tillamook Air Museum

Website

https://tillamookair.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1943

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tillamook Air Museum is a nonprofit aviation heritage museum in Oregon exhibiting 30+ military aircraft in the historic WWII-era Hangar B. It serves tourists and aviation enthusiasts via admissions, gift shop, and donations, and is currently closed due to December 2025 storm damage.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Museum and Heritage Tourism

NAICS

Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Museums (e.g., Maritime, Aviation, Sports, Music, Film) (THAJADAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

History Museums (THAJADAB)

Keywords

• Aviation museum
• Historical exhibits
• Heritage tourism
• WWII preservation
• Museum gift shop

Headquarters

HQ city

Tillamook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Museum Admission Fees: The museum charges admission fees for visitors to access the exhibits and Hangar B. Pricing includes general admission, senior, youth, and child rates, as well as military discounts and annual pass options.
2. Gift Shop Sales: The museum operates a comprehensive gift shop selling aviation-themed merchandise including clothing, hats, toys, books, souvenirs, glassware, keychains, and disc golf discs.
3. Donations and Fundraising: The museum accepts operational donations, with funds currently being earmarked for storm damage repairs from December 2025. The Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM) organization also conducts fundraising efforts.
4. Guided Tours: Guided tours are available for groups of 10+ with at least 2 weeks advanced reservation, with contact information provided for the Museum Director for scheduling and pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Tillamook Air Museum is a historical aviation museum housed in Hangar B, one of two remaining WWII-era wooden airship hangars at the former Naval Air Station Tillamook. The museum sells walk-in visitor admissions, guided group tours for 10+ visitors, an annual membership pass program, and a large aviation-themed retail gift shop spanning clothing, glassware, hats, toys, books, keychains, souvenirs, and custom disc golf discs. The museum also accepts tax-deductible donations supporting preservation of the hangar and its collection of over 30 historic military and civilian aircraft exhibits.

Product overview

Tillamook Air Museum is a historical aviation museum housed in Hangar B, one of two original WWII wooden hangars built at Naval Air Station Tillamook in 1943. The museum offers core services including general admission tickets ($14.00 general, with discounts for seniors, youth, and military), guided tours for groups of 10+, and access to its extensive aircraft exhibits featuring military aircraft including an AV-8B Harrier II+, B-52 cockpit, F-14 Tomcat, and various historic aircraft. The museum operates an e-commerce gift shop selling merchandise across multiple categories: clothing (t-shirts, hoodies, socks, onesies), glassware (mugs, pint glasses, shot glasses, water bottles), hats (trucker hats, ballcaps), toys (model kits, dolls, pullback toys), books (aviation history, local guides), keychains (military-themed), souvenirs (pins, puzzles, magnets, tote bags), and disc golf discs. The museum also offers annual pass memberships and accepts tax-deductible donations supporting preservation efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Museum Admission General admission tickets to the Tillamook Air Museum providing access to the aircraft exhibits, Hangar B, and the Hall of WWII. Admission ranges from $4.50 for children (ages 2-6) to $14.00 for general admission, with discounted rates for seniors ($12), youth ages 7-17 ($8.50), and active-duty, veteran, and retired military personnel ($10). The museum is currently closed until further notice due to December 2025 storm damage.
• Guided Group Tours Guided tours of the museum's aircraft collection and Hangar B for groups of 10 or more visitors, requiring at least 2 weeks of advanced reservation. Scheduling and pricing are arranged directly through the Museum Director, Rita Welch ([email protected] / 503-842-2499). Intended for school groups, youth organizations, and other organized parties seeking a deeper educational experience.
• Aircraft Exhibits Collection Static display of over 30 historic aircraft and cockpit exhibits available to walk-in visitors. The collection spans military jets, civilian transports, helicopters, and homebuilt aircraft, including the McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier II+, Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, Aero-spacelines Mini-Guppy, Convair 880, PT-17 Stearman, PT-22 Recruit, T-39 Sabreliner, F-4 Phantom cockpit, Boeing B-52 Stratofortress cockpit, Boeing 727 cockpit, Bell TH-57 Helicopter, Cessna 180F Skywagon, Grumman F-14A Tomcat, Douglas A4-B Skyhawk, and multiple aircraft on loan from partner museums.
• Museum Gift Shop - Apparel Aviation-themed clothing merchandise sold through the museum's retail gift shop and online store, including logo t-shirts, Rosie B-Ball t-shirts, Blimp Onesies, custom knitted blimp socks, long sleeve shirts, pullover and zippered hoodies, F-14 t-shirts, Harrier t-shirts, Stars and Stripes tank tops, and children's apparel. Available to museum visitors and online customers globally.
• Museum Gift Shop - Glassware Aviation-themed drinkware sold through the museum's gift shop and online store, including Blimp Mugs, Convair 880 Mugs, Museum Logo Mugs, shot glasses, Rosie the Riveter Shot Glasses, water bottles, B-52 Pint Glasses, Rosie Travel Mugs, Blimps in Hangar Mugs, and Museum Pint Glasses. Sold to museum visitors and online customers.
• Museum Gift Shop - Toys Children's toys and aviation-themed models sold through the museum's gift shop and online store, including P-38 Lightning brick blocks, Rubber Band Flyers, Stunt Jets, Pilot and Astronaut Dolls, Classic Soldiers sets, EZ Build Jeep and Plane Kits, Die Cast Flyers, Pullback Toys, Plush Bears, Bath Toys, and Fidget toys. Targeted at family visitors and gift buyers.
• Museum Gift Shop - Books Aviation and Pacific Northwest-themed books sold through the museum's gift shop and online store, including titles such as Live Bait Book, Agates of the Pacific Coast, Day Hiking Oregon Coast, Aviation Mysteries of the North, Broken Wings, Flying Fillies, Rosies Riveting Recipes, Hangar B Christmas Story, WWII for Kids, and Air and Space Origami. Sold to visitors, online customers, and school groups.
• Museum Gift Shop - Keychains Collectible military and aviation-themed keychains sold through the museum's gift shop and online store, including Wounded Warrior, Police, Peace, U.S. Navy, Blue Angel, USMC, Remove Before Flight, Fire Department, U.S. Army, American Flag, EMT, Coast Guard, Blimp, Space Shuttle, Top Gun, Seabees, and Air Force designs priced at $7.99 each. Targeted at visitors and online souvenir buyers.
• Museum Gift Shop - Souvenirs Aviation memorabilia and souvenirs sold through the museum's gift shop and online store, including Logo Lanyards, Blimp Lapel Pins, Puzzles, Rosie Kitchen Towels, Hangar B Coins, Penny Passports, enamel pins, Blimp Spotter Binoculars, Rosie Tote Bags, Rosie the Riveter Action Figures, and various magnets. Sold to museum visitors and online customers.
• Museum Gift Shop - Disc Golf Discs Custom Blimp Base Disc Golf discs sold through the museum's gift shop and online store at $25.00 each, available in Putter, Mid-Range, and Driver types with brand options including Teebird, Sidewinder, Destroyer, and various color choices. Targeted at disc golf hobbyists and gift buyers.
• Museum Gift Shop - Hats Aviation-themed headwear sold through the museum's gift shop and online store, including Logo Trucker Hats, Blimp Ballcaps, and various veteran and military-themed ballcaps honoring different branches and conflicts. Sold to museum visitors and online customers.
• Annual Museum Passes Subscription-style annual pass memberships granting unlimited museum admission for one year. Individual pass is $40.00 and admits the pass holder plus one guest. Family pass is $65.00 and admits two adults plus four children up to age 17. Available to individual consumers and families seeking repeat visitation.
• FOTAM Membership Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM) membership supporting the preservation and maintenance of Hangar B for future generations. FOTAM is a dedicated nonprofit affiliated with the museum that conducts fundraising efforts including GoFundMe campaigns and accepts donations via PayPal. Board of Directors membership applications are available.
• Tax-Deductible Donations Tax-deductible monetary donations supporting museum operations, preservation of Hangar B, and storm damage repair from December 2025. Donations are accepted online through the museum's website and via the FOTAM organization's PayPal and GoFundMe channels. Targeted at heritage preservation donors and museum supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• The museum's Hangar B is one of only two remaining wooden airship hangars from WWII
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Port of Tillamook BaycoreOthersThe museum is located on Port of Tillamook Bay property at Naval Air Station Tillamook. The Port of Tillamook Bay operates the airport and RV park facilities nearby. Museum contact information lists Michele Bradley, GM of Port of Tillamook Bay as a contact.
• Friends of Tillamook Air Museum (FOTAM)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerFOTAM is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to the preservation and maintenance of Hangar B and Tillamook Air Museum for future generations. The organization conducts fundraising efforts including GoFundMe campaigns and accepts donations via PayPal. Membership applications for FOTAM Board of Directors are available.
• National Naval Aviation Museum (Pensacola, FL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple aircraft are on loan to the Tillamook Air Museum from the National Naval Aviation Museum, including the Nord 1101 Noralpha, Fairchild GK-1, Cessna 180F Skywagon, BAC Jet Provost Mk. 3A, Kaman HTK-1, and AV-8B Harrier II+.
• Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum (Hillsboro, OR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeveral aircraft are on loan from this museum including the BAC Jet Provost Mk. 3A, A-26C Invader, T-39 Sabreliner, and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17/LIM 6.
• National Museum of the United States Air ForcemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe T-33 Shooting Star is on loan from this museum.
• Scroggins Aviation Mockup & Effects (Doug Scroggins)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDoug Scroggins has partnered with the museum to preserve and display aircraft including the Convair 880 forward fuselage, B-52 Stratofortress cockpit, and F-4 Phantom cockpit. He has saved these aircraft from demolition and worked to preserve them as museum exhibits.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Museum of Flight: One of the largest air and space museums in the world, located in Seattle, WA. Directly comparable as a major aviation museum with military and civilian aircraft exhibits serving the same Pacific Northwest tourism region and competing for similar enthusiast and family visitors.
• Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum: Oregon-based aviation museum housing the famous Spruce Goose (Hughes H-4 Hercules) alongside a broad collection of aircraft and spacecraft. Directly comparable as a Pacific Northwest aviation museum with similar historical aircraft exhibits and family/education audience.
• Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum: Everett, WA-based museum with a collection of restored WWII and Cold War-era military aircraft and combat vehicles. Directly comparable as a regional aviation museum featuring rare, restored military aircraft and enthusiast-focused programming in the Pacific Northwest.
• Yanks Air Museum: Chino, CA-based aviation museum with one of the largest collections of flyable WWII-era American military aircraft. Comparable as a specialized aviation museum offering rare, restored historical aircraft and enthusiast-focused experiences.
• Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum: Denver-based aviation museum housed in a historic Lowry Air Force Base hangar. Comparable as an aviation museum repurposing a former military hangar with extensive military and civilian aircraft exhibits and a similar regional museum operating model.
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: Hawaii-based aviation museum on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor with a strong focus on WWII Pacific aviation history. Comparable as a WWII-focused aviation museum preserving historic military aircraft and providing educational programming around naval and air combat heritage.
• Classic Aircraft Aviation Museum: Hillsboro, OR-based aviation museum and direct aircraft loan partner to Tillamook. Comparable as a Pacific Northwest regional aviation museum with overlapping aircraft collection content and shared partnership network.

Broad incumbents

• National Museum of the United States Air Force: The oldest and largest military aviation museum in the world, located at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, and an active lender of aircraft to Tillamook. Comparable as a major military aviation institution with overlapping exhibit content and a major content supply source.
• National Naval Aviation Museum: The world's largest naval aviation museum located in Pensacola, FL, and an active partner that loans aircraft to Tillamook. Comparable as a major military aviation museum and a key content partner providing overlapping naval-themed exhibit content.

Others

• Tillamook Creamery: Major Oregon tourism destination and cross-promotion partner for the Tillamook Air Museum. Not a direct competitor, but a key ecosystem partner driving regional tourism traffic to the museum and sharing the Tillamook, OR brand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/tillamookair
• Xx.com/tillamookair
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tillamook-naval-air-station-museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tillamook Air Museum