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Reverend Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man

Curious Nebraska

Air Date: 09/04/2026

Some people become part of a city's identity without ever becoming famous beyond it. Rev. Livingston Wills was known across Omaha as the Broom Man... and his legacy lives on in bronze.

Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann has his story for Curious Omaha.

Guests, in order of appearance:

Additional audio: "Reverend Livingston Wills: The Broom Man (2004)" video, courtesy Kent Sievers.




Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills w/ great-grandson Tyron Criswell (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills w/ great-grandson Tyron Criswell (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Omaha Mayor John Ewing [L] recording with Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann [R]
Kent Sievers, photojournalist
Omaha Mayor John Ewing [R] recording with Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann [L]
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills w/ great-grandson Tyron Criswell (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills w/ great-grandson Tyron Criswell (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Omaha Mayor John Ewing [L] recording with Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann [R]
Kent Sievers, photojournalist
Omaha Mayor John Ewing [R] recording with Nebraska Public Media producer Andy Hermann [L]
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills, the Omaha Broom Man (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)
Rev. Livingston Wills bronze sculpture by John Lajba in progress (courtesy Kent Sievers)