Lewis & Clark

Living Historians, Saltmakers Return

Held In August Each Year Is A Must For The Entire Family.

Let's first take a step back in history

January 8, 1806

"From this point I beheld the grandest and most pleasing prospects which my eyes ever surveyed, in my front a boundless Ocean... the coast as far as my sight could be extended"  Lewis & Clark

December 8, 1805

" a cloudy morning, I took 5 men and set out to the Sea to find the nearest place & make a way to prevent our men getting lost and find a place to make salt"  Lewis & Clark

December 28, 1805

"Jos. Fields, Bratten, Gibson to proceed to the ocean at some convenient place form a camp and Commence making Salt with 5 of the largest kettles, and Willard and Wiser to assist them in Carrying the kittle to the Sea Coast."  Lewis & Clark

(At least three men were assigned here though the number varied and personnel were rotated).

February 21, 1806 Saltworks in Seaside, Oregon - A National Historic Site

"Serge. Ordway returned with the party from the Salt Camp which we have now evacuated.  they brought with them the salt and utensils.  our Stock of salt is now about 20 gallons"

"If you are up for a little historic treat then here is your chance to step back in time"

Lewis & Clark, The Saltmakers Return, sponsored by the Seaside Museum and Historical Society in conjunction with Ft. Clatsop Nat. Park and the city of Seaside, celebrates the 1805-06 Lewis & Clark Expedition by making of salt on the Seaside beach. The 1st-person interpretation will take place on the third weekend in August 2007. Visitors will be representing Clatsop Indians who are coming to the salt camp to trade wild berries, fruit, meat and other 1806 trade goods for beads and bright pieces of metal.

You will be met by professional first person character interpreters who will prepare you for your journey back to the 1806 salt camp. When you arrive at the sign "You are now entering the year 1806" you will find men in costume, on the beach in Seaside Oregon, performing first person interpretation of the Salt Maker they are portraying. These men have studied their historic character and they perform the part in the jargon of 1806. Who do they do their performance with? You, the visitor! The first person interpreters will be scooping ocean water out of the surf, bringing it to the Salt Camp and actually making sea salt.