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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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. -
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. -
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."
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On this episode of History 605, Ben Jones dives into the complicated events that brought the reservations into being and how that has impacted South Dakota's history.
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Patty Limerick joins Ben Jones to share her story of how South Dakota influenced her start as a historian and how the art of conversation is important for all people, not just historians.
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David Beito and Marcus Witcher join Ben Jones to talk about their recent book of Rose Wilder Lane's columns and her impact on 20th-century American politics.
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In this episode of History 605, Ben Jones dives into the life of Gladys Pyle.
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On this edition of History 605, Ben Jones speaks with Chrystal Mensch-Nelson, Director of the Mead Museum in Yankton, about their current exhibit of a rare Jefferson Peace Medal.
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In this episode of History 605, Ben Jones dug into the South Dakota State Historical Society archives, scoured libraries and the internet for the history of the Crazy Horse Memorial.
