Taylor Abbott has been a Weelunk contributor since 2020 and has served as Monroe County Treasurer for eight years. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri, is a graduate of Ohio State’s Public Leadership Program, and a proud alumnus of Ohio University. Taylor is a dedicated historian and lecturer with a deep appreciation for river history and heritage. He serves on several nonprofit boards, including the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. He designed an internationally featured exhibit for the Kennedy Center’s RiverRun Festival and returned as a presenter in 2023. His lectures have reached audiences across the country, including through the Roads Scholar program aboard the American Countess riverboat. In his free time, he enjoys river and ocean travel, hiking, and historic preservation.
On July 4th, 1882, the steamboat Scioto would make its final journey down the Ohio River. Taylor Abbott, a descendant of the boat's captain, tells the story of the disaster that would grip the nation.
