Photo Provided Taylor Abbott, Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen board member and the driving force behind a new maritime academy, speaks during the group’s 85th annual meeting. He also serves as Monroe County treasurer.

MARIETTA, Ohio — During the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen’s 85th annual meeting in Marietta, a standing-room-only crowd witnessed the unveiling of a transformative project — the creation of the Inland Waterways Maritime Academy, Ohio’s first river maritime academy.

The academy is set to open in 2026 in Sardis on the former Riverside Golf Course site, through a planned lease agreement with the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. The project is a partnership between the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen and Mountwest College of Huntington, West Virginia.

The announcement came during a celebration of the organization’s 85th anniversary. Established in 1939 by J. Mack Gamble and Elizabeth Litton, both from Clarington, the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen have spent the last eight decades preserving the history of the Ohio River.

The organization has maintained one of the finest museum collections of river history in partnership with the Ohio History Connection’s Ohio River Museum in Marietta. Additionally, their J. Mack Gamble Fund, an endowment created in 1973, has provided over $1.3 million in grants to river-related projects nationwide since 1978.

Victor Canfield, vice president of the organization, opened the evening by welcoming guests and introducing Taylor Abbott, board member and the visionary behind the project. Abbott first conceived the idea over two years ago, collaborating with various partners to make it a reality. During his speech, Abbott shared his excitement:

“Tonight, I am honored to announce the Inland Waterways Maritime Academy — a project that marks a significant evolution in the mission and vision of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. This is not just another milestone; it’s a transformation. For decades, we have been custodians of river history telling the stories of the steamboats, the Ohio River, and the remarkable people who lived along and navigated its waters. Now, we are stepping into a new role — not only as historians but as educators, trainers, and supporters of the future of our inland rivers maritime industry.”

The unveiling was a collaborative effort with key figures such as Sherri Sowards, director of the Mountwest Maritime Academy; Raymond Newby, maritime academy instructor; and Bill Mahon from the Ohio History Connection. All were in attendance alongside representatives from the river industry. After the announcement, Jeffrey Spear, president of the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen, joined Canfield, Sowards and Newby in revealing renderings of the future facility to an enthusiastic crowd.

The complex will feature a state-of-the-art pilothouse simulator, a cutting-edge classroom space for the maritime academy and educational exhibits showcasing the Sons & Daughters’ extensive collection of river artifacts, including boat models and fine art. A public simulator will also allow visitors, both young and old, to experience interactive, hands-on learning about the river.

Highlighting the workforce development potential, Abbott noted:

“This initiative will give individuals in Appalachia a new opportunity to build a career in the maritime industry, providing them with the skills to become employee-ready for towboat and river fleeting companies. With starting salaries of $50,000 and up, along with excellent benefits, we are not just creating jobs but investing in life-changing careers for our region’s workforce.”

To close the evening, Spear invited guests to raise their glasses in a toast to the future of the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen and its enduring 85-year legacy.

The maritime academy is set to open its doors in mid-2026, marking a new chapter in Ohio’s maritime heritage.