Bowling Green Technical College students have an opportunity to watch in the nation’s capital what they have learned in class.

Barry Kennedy, assistant professor of history, will hold his class in Washington, D.C., for two weeks in May.

“It’s a chance for the students to see some living history,” Kennedy said, “see the importance of government.”

Kennedy has taken students to D.C. twice before, in 2009 and 2011.

As part of their studies, they will begin researching a paper using the U.S. Library of Congress, where they will receive Library of Congress research cards for the reading room. The paper will be completed when they return home.

The students will visit many sites that are generally closed to the public, BGTC public relations director Mark Brooks said in a news release. “Tours such as the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, and the Bureau of Engraving are only open to special groups such as schools and military personnel, but through this special history class, the students of BGTC will be able to walk along these hallowed halls,” Brooks said in the release.

The students will walk the National Mall, the U.S. Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Holocaust Museum, the Smithsonian, Crime and Punishment Museum, Mount Vernon – estate of President George Washington – Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Lesley J. McNair.

Fort McNair has been a U.S. Army post for 200 years, second only to West Point Military Academy in its time of service.

In past trips that Kennedy has supervised, the BGTC students were able to sit in the gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives and see the beginning of a legislative session.

They also sat in on lectures that were held in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kennedy expects 20 to 25 students to make the trip next year.

— Those interested in enrolling in the class are asked to contact Barry Kennedy at 270-901-1108 or by email at barry.kennedy@kcts.edu.