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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Ben Jones speaks with author Bradley Thompson and discusses what John Adams and others thought was the more important revolution that occurred in the minds of the American people. -
In this episode from the archives, Ben Jones talks with Photographer Paul Horsted to discuss his books and work that detail George Custer's 1874 Black Hills expedition.
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David Grabitske and Dan Moeckly join Ben Jones on this edition of History 605 to discuss how they've worked to design South Dakota's stories for the upcoming new museum exhibits.
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On this episode of History 605, Ben Jones talks about the tale of South Dakota's Embezzling Treasurer. -
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.
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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.
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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.
