Synagogue
Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, is the oldest surviving synagogue building in North America, completed in 1763 and designed by colonial architect Peter Harrison.
It was built for the Congregation Jeshuat Israel, founded by descendants of Jewish families who fled persecution in Spain and Portugal and sought refuge in Rhode Island for religious freedom. The synagogue symbolizes religious tolerance and liberty in early America and has connections to figures like Isaac Touro, a British Loyalist rabbi who protected the building during the British occupation in the Revolutionary War.
The synagogue was used as a hospital and meeting hall during the war but was spared destruction. Over the centuries, the congregation and community preserved it through generous bequests, including from Abraham and Judah Touro. The site, now a National Historic Site, represents a cornerstone for Jewish American history and the broader ideals of religious freedom, highlighted by George Washington's famous 1790 letter affirming religious liberty.
The building features Georgian architecture with symbolic interior elements such as twelve Ionic columns reflecting the Twelve Tribes of Israel and is open to visitors interested in its cultural and historical significance.
| Address | 85 Touro St, Newport, RI 02840, United States |
| Established | 5 March 1946 |
| Construction Started | 1759 |
| Architect | Peter Harrison |
| Architectural Style | American Colonial |
| Ownership | Congregation Shearith Israel |
| Phone | +1 401-847-4794 |
Touro Synagogue National Historic Site is located in Rhode Island, United States.
Touro Synagogue National Historic Site is situated in the state of Rhode Island.
The main phone number for the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site is +1 401-847-4794.
The address of Touro Synagogue National Historic Site is 85 Touro St, Newport, RI 02840, United States.
Yes, Touro Synagogue National Historic Site is family-friendly and attracts visitors of all age groups.
Visitors usually spend a few hours to a full day exploring Touro Synagogue National Historic Site.
Yes, there are several hotels and accommodations near Touro Synagogue National Historic Site in Rhode Island.
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