LOEB VISITORS CENTER AT TOURO SYNAGOGUE – Newport, RI

When the Secretary of State visited Newport, Rhode Island in 1790, Touro Synagogue was among the classical buildings from which he drew inspiration. Secretary Thomas Jefferson admired Peter Harrison’s 1763 design replete with portico entry, arched windows, metalwork, balustrades, English paneling and ionic columns. Touro Synagogue remains the oldest extant synagogue in the country and serves the congregation organized in 1658. In 1946 Touro Synagogue was named a National Historic Site, and in 1966 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.