The Salt Makers Return

Thursday, August 13, 2009

The Seaside Historical Museum is hosting the return of the Salt Makers in Seaside August 14 -16. During the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery’s stay in NW Oregon in the winter of 1805-06, some members were dispatched to what would eventually become Seaside. There they replenished the Corps’ store of salt by boiling seawater around the clock for 48 hours.

Signs declaring “You Are Now Entering 1806” are posted at the Avenue U beach access where first person character interpreters prepare you for a journey back to the 1806 salt camp. The men have studied their historic character and they perform the part in the jargon of 1806. The first person interpreters will be scooping ocean water out of the surf, bringing it to the Salt Camp and actually making sea salt.

Visitors can participate by representing the Clatsop Indians who came to the salt camp to trade wild berries, fruit, meat and other 1806 trade goods for beads and bright pieces of metal.