Press Release
12/30/2015

After much discussion, the board of directors of the Seaside Museum and Historical Society (SMHS) has reached the difficult decision to suspend one of its signature events, Saltmakers Return, during 2016. The predominant reason for the decision is the loss of the National Park Service (NPS) as the major partner for the event. Working towards a decision regarding long term continuation of the event, the SMHS board will be inviting various community organizations and residents to participate in a series of discussions regarding the requirements, processes and possibilities for resuming organization and presentation of the event. It is hoped that these discussions will lead to participation commitments and progress into being planning sessions for Saltmakers Return to be re-established in 2017.

Individuals interested in participating in the process should visit or call the museum to provide contact information for an invitation when the community discussions are scheduled. The Seaside Museum is located at 570 Necanicum, phone number (503) 738-7065, email seasidemuseum@hotmail.com. For more information, contact Tita Montero, Board Vice President, at 503-440-4454.

2015 Commenced Making Salt Press Release
from the National Park Service

A special living history program, Commenced Making Salt, focusing on the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s salt-making activities will take place for five hours on Saturday, August 15. Visitors will meet National Park Rangers in period costume making salt from seawater and discussing details of the expedition. This event is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the beach at the west end of Avenue U in south Seaside, Oregon. (From Highway 101 take Avenue U to the beach. From the Promenade in Seaside, walk south to where Avenue U meets the beach.)

One of the reasons the Corps of Discovery wintered near the Pacific Ocean was that it was running out of salt for preserving and flavoring meat. The expedition’s captains were hoping for “a convenient Situation to the Sea Coast where we Could make Salt,” according to William Clark’s November 24, 1805 journal. In January 1806, after the Corps settled into its Fort Clatsop winter camp, a detachment travelled to the future site of Seaside, Oregon to set up a salt-making camp next to the ocean. This camp operated for seven weeks and produced about four bushels of salt for their winter and return trip to the United States. The actual location of the expedition’s Salt Works can also be visited on Lewis and Clark Way between Beach Drive and the Prom three blocks north of the program.

Commenced Making Salt is a free interactive learning opportunity for the whole family. This event is produced by The Seaside Museum & Historical Society and Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. This year’s event is sponsored by the Seaside Museum & Historical Society member donations, City of Seaside Public Works Department, Clatsop County Work Crew, and Oregon State Parks.

For more information, call Lewis and Clark NHP, Fort Clatsop at (503) 861-2471 or the Seaside Museum & Historical Society at (503) 738-7065.

Lewis & Clark Saltmakers Return
Archive photos:

Salt makers camp & Orientation tent	Orientation: Now entering 1806
	Seaside beach view looking North from Ave. U
	These cyclists arrived during the event after a coast to coast bicycle trip!
Families enjoy the event and Seaside's beach!	Seaside Surfers
Pelicans flying over the event.
Welcome!	Barter
Sea salt: the finished product.	Camp is near the Tides Motel at the end of Avenue U, Seaside.

Welcome Tent (on the beach at Avenue U & the Prom)	Orientation: Now entering 1804
Learning about the Salt Works	Barter
Water is carefully skimmed from the Pacific Ocean, to contain as little sand as possible.	"Can I help?"

	The 1806 Camp
"Malibu School" Group	Bartering for a Thimble
	I've got sand in my shoes!