Newport in Newport County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
Touro Synagogue
National Historic Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 8, 2011
1. Touro Synagogue Marker
of
Jeshuat Israel Congregation
Founded 1658
Ths oldest synagogue building in the United States was designed by Peter Harrison. Ground was broken August 1, 1759. It was dedicated on December 2, 1763. Here, 1781-84 The Rhode Island General Assembly met, and during Washingtons visit to Newport in 1781 a town meeting was held here. The State Supreme Court held sessions here at that period. The building was reopened for religious services on August 2, 1850. In 1790 George Washington wrote to this congregation that . . . Happily the Government of the United States . . . . gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.
National
Park Service
United States
Department of the Interior
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1951.
Location. 41° 29.362′ N, 71° 18.72′ W. Marker is in Newport, Rhode Island, in Newport County. It is at the intersection of Touro Street and Division Street,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Touro Synagogue (a few steps from this marker); Gideon Cornell House (within shouting distance of this marker); Six of the First (within shouting distance of this marker); Charlotte Burleigh House (within shouting distance of this marker); Two Historic Letters (within shouting distance of this marker); The Letter from Moses Seixas (within shouting distance of this marker); The Famous Letter by President George Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); The New Jersey House
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 8, 2011
2. Touro Synagogue Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 8, 2011
3. Gateway to Touro Synagogue
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 8, 2011
4. Touro Synagogue
In addition to being the oldest synagogue in the United States, Touro Synagogue is the only one still standing from the colonial era.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 814 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
