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Rhode Island
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Rhode Island State Parks

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Rhode Island
Newport Region
Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
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TOURO SYNAGOGUE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
TOURO SYNAGOGUE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
85 Touro Street
Newport, Rhode Island   02840

Phone: 401-847-4794
Email: park email button icon
The oldest synagogue in the United States

The Touro Synagogue was dedicated in 1762, and serves an active congregation today. The congregation was founded in 1658 by Sephardim who fled the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and were searching for a haven from religious persecution in the Caribbean. Today, the synagogue celebrates not only their story, but serves to honor all who came to this shore seeking to worship freely.
History of the Area
Touro Synagogue, dedicated in 1762, is the oldest synagogue in the United States and the only one that survives from the colonial era. The congregation was founded in 1658 by Sephardim, descendants of Marranos who fled the Inquisition in Spain and Portugal and who were themselves seeking a haven from religious persecution in the Caribbean. They came to the the Colony of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations because of the assurance of freedom of religion and liberty of conscience promised by Roger Williams to all who came within its borders

When the British captured Newport in 1776 and shut down the maritime trades, most Jews left. The Synagogue became a hospital for British troops until the French liberated the town. In 1781, George Washington met Generals Lafayette and Rochembeau in Newport to plan the final battles of the Revolution. It was on that visit, that General Washington attended a town meeting in the Synagogue.

In 1790, the congregation of the Synagogue wrote a letter to President Washington, expressing their good wishes, and asking his views on their continued peaceful existence in Newport. Washington replied in a letter to "The Hebrew Congregation in Newport," that:

. . . 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.

With this statement, Washington set the standard for religious freedom and civil liberties in America.

In 1946, the Touro Synagogue was designated a National Historic Site. Today, it continues to serve an active congregation.




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Directions
From the north and east (Boston and New England):Take Route 128S to Route 24S. Stay on 24S to Fall River. Entering Fall River, take Route 195W and almost immediately exit back onto 24S (Watch the signs carefully here!). Take Route 24 till it ends and merges on to 114S. Although not marked, this route is called West Main Road. Later, as you enter Newport, it becomes Broadway. Stay on this road for its entire length, approximately 8 miles, till you enter Washington Square in downtown Newport. There will be a park on your left. The road ends at a pedestrian mall. A "Pier One Imports" store will be directly in front of you and a "Banana Republic" store on your left. Make a left turn and then immediately, turn left again. You will now be going back up the square on the other side of the park. This is Touro Street. Go straight through the next intersection, which is Spring Street. The Synagogue is the second building on the left.

From the south and west (New York and Connecticut):Take I-95 North to Exit 3A in Rhode Island (138 East). Stay on route 138 across the Jamestown and Newport Bridges. Take the first exit off the Newport Bridge, marked "Downtown Newport." Bear right at the end of the ramp and go through the first traffic light. At the second light bear left. Go through several stop signs. At the next light, a "Pier One Imports" store will be on you right, turn left. This is Touro Street. Go straight through the next intersection which is Spring Street. The Synagogue is the second building on the left.

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Rhode Island
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Rhode Island State Parks

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