Bringing History to Life
Lonnie Moore does more than just teach United States History to Midland University students – he brings the history to them.
As an adjunct professor at Midland, Moore helps embrace the history of our country by portraying various figures from different time periods. It’s a tradition he started when he was teaching at the junior high school level years ago, and has continued to this day.
“I was in my second year of teaching 8th grade history in Oxford, Nebraska. I wanted to do something different than just lectures and worksheets. I thought about how much more I learned, and enjoyed, when I would visit a museum that had living history, so I decided to bring living history into the classroom.
“The first person I portrayed was Peter O’Reilly, an Irish immigrant who discovered the Comstock Lode. The students enjoyed it and it was certainly memorable, so I tried to work up on character each month.”
His portrayals include Myles Standish, Ethan Allen, William Allen (Frontier County judge in the 1870s), and a Civil War soldier. His performances have extended beyond the classroom and branched out into banquets, chautauquas, family reunions, and more.
Lonnie did not expect teaching to be his first calling when he entered college. He attended Grace College of the Bible in Omaha with plans to enter the ministry. “I wanted to serve the Lord in some capacity, but I came to realize that I was better suited for teaching. I transferred to UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) to get a teaching endorsement and really learn how to teach.”
He landed his first teaching job in Oxford, Nebraska, which also included coaching basketball and track at the high school level. In 1990, he was selected to be one of five teachers from Nebraska to train in Washington, D.C. at National Geographic’s Summer Geography Institute. He would eventually relocate to the Omaha area, teaching and coaching at Bryan, Westside, and South for 19 years.
He got his first opportunity to be an adjunct geography teacher at Midland eight years ago and has taught U.S. History for the past two years. “I think Midland students are great and I enjoy getting to know them and encouraging them in their education and life.
“I love teaching U.S. History and I like to lecture and invite discussion. Almost my entire family has been in North America since the 1730s, so U.S. History is just telling my family’s story. I am glad for the opportunity to let my living history people live again.”
Lonnie and his wife have three adult children and one grandson and he enjoys spending as much time with family as possible. He is actively involved in his church in Wahoo, teaching an adult Sunday School class on the history of christianity, as well as leading a Good News Club at a local elementary school. He also remains active as an official for both high school football and track and field meets.
Growing up in Red Willow County in Southwestern Nebraska, Lonnie began working with cattle when he was nine years old. While teaching in Oxford, he started his own cowherd. When he moved to the Eastern part of the state, he brought some of those cattle with him. “I still have cattle that require my attention. I got to show a bull and a heifer at the Iowa State Fair this year. The heifer won her class and the bull was named Reserve Champion of the Salers Optimizers.”
Getting to know Lonnie Moore:
When not teaching, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like spending time with my family, especially my grandson, who is 19 months old. I like to read and I also like to research historical novels that I am planning to write.
What is your go-to music and snack on a road trip?
I like country music from the 80’s and 90’s and contemporary Christian music. But when I get a chance to listen to a good mystery or crime podcast, I might go that way instead of music. M&M’s and high quality black licorice are pretty good travel snacks.
What is your favorite thing to watch on television?
Football, especially the Huskers and the Chiefs. I recently watched a British series called Sharpe, which is about a soldier during the Napoleonic Wars.
