Tillamook, OR — The Port of Tillamook Bay is poised to take over operations of the Tillamook Air Museum, a popular tourist attraction as well as a monument to the Naval Air Station Tillamook, which played a pivotal role in West Coast defense during World War II.
The Port reached an agreement with the Erickson Group whereby the Port will assume ownership and operation of the museum, located in Hangar B, which the Port owns. The Erickson Group chose not to renew its current lease, which expires Jan. 31, 2016. Port Commission President Jim Young says that “We are excited continue to be able to keep the hangar open to the public, as it is the last of the WW II hangars open to the public anywhere in the U.S.”
The Port will begin running the Museum, including its gift shop and the Air Base Cafe, on Jan. 1, said Michele Bradley, POTB general manager. However, “The café might not be opened immediately, as we will be looking into changing the format a bit and concentrating on catering,” she said, adding, “We are excited to continue the Museum operations and look forward to new opportunities this brings to the Port of Tillamook Bay. The Erickson Group has done a fantastic job creating a popular tourist destination in the most iconic building in Tillamook County.”
The Port will host a ribbon-cutting at the Museum at some point early in the New Year.
In the meantime, Port staff are working with Christian Gurling, one of the current Tillamook Air Museum employees who will become a Port staff member after the transition, on finding new Navy and other military exhibits and display items to add to the Museum collection, said Bradley. “Having Christian on staff will ensure a smooth transition. We’re also pursuing leads on acquiring a blimp to put on display.”
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