Launching Through the Surf: The Dory Fleet of Pacific City Exhibit

The Tillamook County Pioneer Museum will host a special traveling exhibit, “Launching Through the Surf: The Dory Fleet of Pacific City,” from March 20 through April 30 celebrating one of the most iconic and enduring fishing traditions on the Oregon Coast. Created by Linfield University in partnership with the Pacific City Dorymen’s Association, the exhibit explores the historical and contemporary role of the Pacific City dory fleet through stories, artifacts, and photographs gathered from the community.

Drawing from interviews with more than 100 dorymen and women, Launching Through the Surf shares the voices, traditions, and experiences of those who launch their boats directly from the beach into the surf. The exhibit brings together historic photographs, personal fishing gear and artifacts on loan from dory fishers, educational displays, and striking modern photography by coastal photographers Sandy Weedman and Tyrone Marshall.

For more than a century, Pacific City’s dory fleet has shaped the identity, economy, and culture of the community. This exhibit offers visitors a rare opportunity to explore the legacy of the fishers who continue to carry this tradition forward.

Museum admission required. For museum hours, admission prices, and additional information, visit tcpm.org.