The city of Newport, Rhode Island is a very picturesque city with many historic buildings and seemingly endless coastlines with abundant ocean scenery. Among the many places of historical significance, one of them helps preserve a place that was important to early Jewish settlers as a house of worship. It’s Touro Synagogue National Historic Site, the oldest Synagogue in the United States.

Attractions:

The focal point of this National Historic Site is the Synagogue itself. Designed by architect Peter Harrison, this worship center was constructed in 1763, making it the first Jewish Synagogue in the U.S.

Tours are offered daily, every 30 minutes, and they last about 25 minutes total. The inside of the synagogue itself is interesting, and a tour guide explains some of the significant facts about the synagogue while you look around at the impressive architecture. There are 12 large columns, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Several brass candelabra hang from the ceiling above, giving the church the look and feel of a fancy, exclusive club. Tourists sit while the tour guide talks about the history of the synagogue.

George Washington wrote a letter to the congregation in 1781, where he proclaimed the importance of religious liberty. In the letter, Washington said: “For happily the Government of the United States which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.” The tour guide talked at length about this letter from President Washington, and how important it was to the Jewish people at the time because they were still a very small and often harassed minority. Washington’s words were important. He assured that, in the United States of America, religious freedom is an important right and the Jewish people were guaranteed of that right just as much as any other religious group. This important letter is on display, inside the Synagogue.

Fees/Hours of Operation:

If you want to visit Touro Synagogue and take a tour, you need to keep in mind that the schedule is irregular. From July 1 through Labor Day in early September, tours are offered from 10am to 5pm, Sunday through Friday. Following Labor Day and continuing through Oct. 31, tours are conducted from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, and 1pm to 3pm Monday through Friday. From November 1 to April 30, tours are offered between 11am and 3pm on Sunday, with only one other tour offered during the week: a 1pm tour on Friday. Then, from May 1 to June 30, tours are offered from 11am to 3pm on Sunday and 1pm to 3pm on Monday through Friday. Please note that there are no tours at all on Saturday and no tours on Jewish holidays.

There is no charge to take the tour. Also, if you are of the Jewish persuasion and would like to attend an actual service, you can join the Jeshaut Israel congregation on Saturdays at 8:45am and at either 6pm (Oct- March) or 7pm (April- September). Even though this is an official National Historic Site, it’s still a fully- functional synagogue.

Final Thoughts:

Touro Synagogue is a small unit of the National Park System. The site covers a small part of the landscape in downtown Newport, Rhode Island. It’s fairly easy to find, once you get into Newport. It is located close to the intersection of Touro Street and Spring Street, just a few steps away from the center of downtown Newport.

The inside of this site is impressive, and it’s considered one of architect Peter Harrison’s finest works. He designed the building in Georgian architecture and, in keeping with Jewish tradition, he constructed the building at an angle so that the Holy Ark- located at the east end of the synagogue- would be facing toward Israel. Harrison at first declined the offer to design this synagogue, but he later changed his mind and when the project was completed, he was so fond of the building itself and the members that he didn’t charge any fees for his services.

The tour of this site is short, and you need to keep a close eye on the schedule or else you could easily miss any chance to see the inside. When I visited here, I managed to sneak in for the final tour of the day, on a Sunday. I was here in October, so the last tour of the day was conducted at 3pm. I assumed that this site followed the same schedule as most other National Park sites (9am to 5pm, seven days per week) so when I arrived at close to 3pm, I thought I had plenty of time to spare to catch a tour. Lucky for me, I arrived just before 3pm because that was the final tour of the day. Just 10 more minutes and I would have missed my chance to tour the site. I was on my way to Connecticut, and I didn’t have any time to come back the next day.

Another thing that’s different about Touro Synagogue is that this site doesn’t have a visitor’s center. There is a gift shop, operated by the Society of Friends of Touro Synagogue, where you can purchase books and other gifts relating to Judaism, freedom of religion, and the history of this temple. There are also occasional speaking seminars, held right inside the Synagogue, that deal with relevant issues like religious diversity in America, separation of church and state, etc.

Proclaimed a National Historic Site in 1946, Touro Synagogue attracts about 30,000 annual visitors. It’s an enjoyable experience, and the synagogue and bookstore can be toured quickly, usually in less than 1 hour total. It’s an interesting piece of American history that will be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of religious background or persuasion. If you’re in Newport, Rhode Island, I recommend stopping by and viewing this great architectural wonder.


Be Sure to Click the Links Below to Read Reviews of Other National Historic Sites:

James Garfield National Historic Site
Carl Sandberg Home National Historic Site
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Saint- Gaudens National Historic Site
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial
Fort Point National Historic Site
John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
Cowpens National Battlefield
Adams National Historic Site
Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
Salem Maritime National Historic Site


Recommended: Yes

Best time to go: Anytime
Recommended for: Anybody
Review Topic: Overview