History 605 explores the history of South Dakota, the northern Great Plains, and the Midwest. South Dakota’s State Historian Ben Jones will visit with guests about their books, museum exhibits and artifacts, and historic sites in the state and region. Along the way, you’ll learn how to think, not what to think, about history and the people of the past.
The host is Dr. Ben Jones, State Historian and Director of the South Dakota State Historical Society. Ben grew up in Sioux Falls and De Smet, served in various locations around the world while in the USAF. He returned to South Dakota to become Dean of Arts and Sciences at Dakota State University, then served as South Dakota’s 15th Secretary of Education. Along the way, he earned his PhD in history and enjoys sharing history’s insights with all of you.
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On this episode of History 605, Ben Jones delves into South Dakota's first wartime experience, which occurred in the aftermath of the events in Cuba and the nation's declaration of war against Spain in 1898. -
Cara Rogers Stevens joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to discuss her recent book about Thomas Jefferson and his work to eliminate slavery.
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Historian and author Ken Zontek joins Ben Jones on History 605 to discuss the ways in which American Indian communities started to recover the buffalo population.
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In the run-up to marking the nation's 250th anniversary next year, Ben Jones talks to historian, author, and podcaster Albert Zambone about his biography of Daniel Morgan. -
Peter Cozzens joins History 605 to discuss his new book on Deadwood and the fascinating people who participated in the gold rush of 1876 and beyond.
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On this episode of History 605, Ben and Braeden walk through the history of the Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota.
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Pamela Smith Hill joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 for a conversation on her new book about the value of the Little House books to people of all ages.
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Jacob Friefeld, of the University of Illinois - Springfield, joins Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to discuss the life and work of Oscar Micheaux.
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On this edition of History 605, Ben Jones discusses an oral history interview with Rolly Samp that described how, as Congressman Ben Reifel's brand-new state director, he experienced the political bargains made when the party was deadlocked about who would be the nominee to face George McGovern that November.
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Andrew Isenberg joins Ben Jones again to discuss his new book, "The Age of the Borderlands: Indians, Slaves and the Limits of Manifest Destiny."
