touro synagogue

Interesting history. The information center was educational and the staff was friendly. The tour was nice.

I was unaware of the fact that there is an important synagogue in Newport. The building is simple and beautiful and the lecture given as a tour was very interesting. President Washington as well as several other US Presidents have visited this site. It is the oldest surviving synagogue in the USA.

We didn't tour the synagogue because it was closed whenever we were looking for something to do in Newport. We did, however, admire it from the outside. The gardens are just beautiful and compliment the building nicely. We took a walking tour and this was one of the sites visited. Very interesting history...would be worth touring in the future.

Enjoyed seeing this building, the guide was very interesting. The building is lovely and in remarkable condition for such an old building. George Washington visited but I feel like he pretty much visited every church in the US. Worth seeing.

Go in for the lecture on the history of the synagogue which actually gives you history on the early days of Newport.

I'm very sorry to say that I did not come to Touro Synagogue for a tour but to pray, and, after walking a half hour from the hotel, I arrived just as services were over. The guard treated me like someone from the Mafia, REFUSED to let me in for even five minutes, and then offered to "take care of it" meaning me, to the Rabbi, when he finally came out. Okay, rules are rules, but that is ridiculous, and they have this hideous antiquated Board of Directors (ie the people who pay) and one stuffed shirt actually called me "absolutely abhorrent". I felt like a criminal, and, as a woman alone, it was really a humiliating way to spend the Jewish holiday of Sukkos.

I've been wanting to see this place for a long time and was pleased to have the opportunity returning home from a trip to Boston. My only complaint is that we were not permitted to go upstairs. Beautifully preserved with a very nice visitors center.

A wonderful piece of Jewish American history. Our tour guide was excellent and really made this colonial era building come alive!

The synagogue and the museum show what is unique about the inherent toleration of American society. This value is hardwired into the American constitution and ethos.

This tour and museum was so interesting to discover facts of the early Jewish people in the area and beyond! A great discovery for history buffs

The visitors' center is well worth some time. Well done displays and lots of history. The tour guide we had for the synagogue was wonderful and really made the history of the area and the synagogues place in it come alive. Well worth a visit.

As the oldest synagogue in the US this beautiful building has a rich history and an important part in the development of religous freeedom in the US. Designed by Peter Harrison the building is simple and elegant and is now welcomed by the relatively new visitor's center whcih provides a useful educational backdrop for your synagogue visit. We were fortunate to have May Jo as our tour guide who was infomative, enthusastic and enjoye dhsring her knowledge of the history of the displaced Jews who started the synagoue and its subsequent history. Her talk focussed on the people and events that make this such an important place in American history.The only downside was the slim number of offerings available for purchase in the museum.

Interesting attraction to visit while in Newport. Convenient, easy walk from main area of town. Our Docent was informative and gave a great overview of Colonial times.

Learned a lot about early America. Convenient to visit. Great displays, garden and knowledgable guide.

A simple structure with a significant history. Not to be missed. This is the first Synagogue on America soil.