Touro Synagogue National Historic Site

Address:72 Touro Street
Newport, Rhode Island
Tel: (401) 847-4794

A spiritual experience awaits you at the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site in Newport, Rhode Island. Touro Synagogue has been a continuously operating synagogue since before the American Revolution. Today, the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site serves as a commemoration to all those seeking freedom of worship in the United States, as well as a beautiful work of architecture.

Dedicated in 1763, Touro Synagogue was the first synagogue established in North America. Since its completion, Touro Synagogue has housed Congregation Jeshuat Israel, an Orthodox congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jewish descent. Touro Synagogue is considered the most notable work of Peter Harrison, a skilled pre-Revolution era architect: Twelve Ionic columns, each carved from a single tree and collectively signifying the twelve tribes of Israel, flank the interior of the building, supporting balconies. The entire building is oriented east towards Jerusalem. The Touro Synagogue community wrote a letter of support to George Washington in 1790, to which Washington responded with assurances of good will and freedom from persecution.

Today, you can visit the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site and partake in a half hour guided tour of the site, covering the history of the synagogue from its founding through recent restoration efforts. You are also invited to the bookstore at the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site, which is open during tours and is worth popping into. After your stop at the Tour Synagogue National Historic Site, visitors can treat themselves to any of the dozens of restaurants just a short walk from the synagogue.

To get to the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site, take Broadway from the entrance to Newport until you enter Washington Square. Turn left when you see a "Pier One Imports" directly in front of you and another immediate left onto Touro Street. Then continue straight until you see the synagogue. Savor a taste of the interplay of Jewish and American spiritual history at the Touro Synagogue National Historic Site—a learning experience for the whole family!