Two Astoria sisters, Rachel and Sarah Lertora, volunteered three days
atLewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Clatsop to help brain-tan
adeer hide in late July. They worked with National Park Rangers MattHensley, Susan Rhoads, and Sally Freeman. While they tanned the hide,
adiscussion about entering the project into competition at the county
fairtook place. They finished the work on the hide just in time to enter it
ina group open class for clothing at the county fair. The buckskin
received a blue ribbon and was on display at the fair all week.
Both girls, avid 4-H members, enjoyed learning about the process ofbrain-tanning (more correctly called brain-dressing). This process
turns an animal hide into rawhide, then, using animal brains and lots of
human
elbow grease, into soft buckskin that could be sewn into
clothing.
Rachel said, "Next year I will be signing up for the Leather Craft
project
area in 4-H" Sarah said, "When the public thought what I was doing
wasgross, it was funny." Both girls were comfortable with public speaking
andenjoyed explaining the project to park visitors.
Park Ranger Susan Rhoads found these girls to be "inspirational
future
leaders as they shared the tanning steps with visitors and encouraged
themto join in and participate. They did this hard, gross work with a
smileand we hope we get to work with them next year."
For more information about brain-tanning, check out a video about this
onthe park's YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q35uj2ThRm8 orvisit the park on August 18 or 19 when Bob and Gayle Kitch, primitiveskills experts, will be giving brain-dressing programs next to the
Fort Clatsop replica.
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