Officials with the Port of Tillamook Bay and supporters of the Tillamook Air Museum, Tillamook, Oregon, provided an update this week on ongoing efforts to preserve Hangar B, the historic wooden blimp hangar that suffered damage during a storm in December. The update was presented during a recent Port of Tillamook Bay Board meeting, where Port Board President Jack Mulder addressed concerns about the future of the structure. According to Mulder, the Port has not abandoned plans to preserve Hangar B, despite an earlier board decision not to commit additional Port funds toward repair work.
Mulder said discussions with potential partners are continuing as officials explore ways to meet local matching requirements that could accompany future Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance. He added that the Port remains supportive of efforts to secure the hangar’s long-term preservation. Hangar B is one of the two massive WWII-era wooden blimp hangars constructed at Naval Air Station Tillamook. Today, it serves as the home of the Tillamook Air Museum and is one of the largest clear-span wooden structures in the world.
(Image credit: Tillamook Air Museum)
Friends of the Tillamook Air Museum President Dallas Adams also spoke during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of continued public support and cooperation among preservation groups, government agencies, and community organizations. According to Adams, preserving the hangar will require broader awareness and participation from stakeholders interested in protecting the historic structure. He noted that opportunities to develop preservation solutions remain as long as the building remains standing.
(Image credit: The Port of Tillamook Bay)
The Port has received grant documentation from the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and continues to coordinate with both state officials and FEMA regarding recovery efforts tied to the storm damage. Current projects include repairs to the opening created in the hangar during the storm, emergency stabilization work, and efforts to address a large section of roofing that was peeled back during the weather event and continues to present safety concerns. No timeline for the completion of repairs or future preservation work was announced during the meeting. For more information and to support the Tillamook Air Museum, click on this link: www.tillamookair.com.
(Image credit: The Port of Tillamook Bay)
