The Newport Amphora Project
The Redwood Library and Athenaeum, The Touro Synagogue and The Newport Historical Society - Newport, RI
June 18th - October 5th, 2025
Opening Reception: Wednesday June 18, 2025 from 6:00-8:00pm
The Newport Amphora Project
Founded in 1639, with the policy of liberty of conscience and freedom of religion written into the town statutes of 1641, Newport, Rhode Island was an immediate home to a rich diversity of religions and beliefs. People in search of these freedoms and opportunities moved to Newport from other more puritanical colonies, as well as from other countries. The city grew quickly and became a major colonial shipping port by the time of Peter Harrison’s arrival as a ship captain and architect in 1740.
This project is focused on Peter Harrison, Architect (1716 -1775) and the three extant architectural landmarks he designed in Newport: The Redwood Library and Athenaeum (Built between 1748 and 1750); The Touro Synagogue (Built between 1759 and 1763); and The Brick Market Building (Built between 1762 and 1772). Also included will be the garden pavilion from Abraham Redwood’s Summer House originally built in Portsmouth, RI (1766) and moved to the Redwood’s gardens in 1917.
The Company of the Redwood Library was established in 1747 by Abraham Redwood and 45 fellow colonists with the goal of (to) “Propagate virtue, knowledge, and useful learning with nothing in view but the good of mankind”. The building was the first purposely built library in the United States, and is the oldest neo-Classical building in the country. It has been in continuous use since its opening.
The first 15 Jewish families arrived in Newport in 1658 from the Caribbean. Originally Spanish and Portuguese “Converso” Jews who were forced from their homes during the Inquisition, they made their way to Amsterdam, then the Dutch Caribbean colonies and finally to Newport. The land for the Jewish cemetery was purchased in 1677, on what became known as “Jew Street” (before being renamed Bellevue Avenue). Less than 100 years later the Jewish community of Newport was large enough and prosperous enough to build the Touro synagogue.
The Brick Market Building was commissioned by the city of Newport and built on a port side wharf. It originally functioned as an open-air market on the ground floor, with offices on the upper floors. It is still owned by the city, but is now managed and programmed by the Newport Historical Society as The Museum of Newport History.
The Intellectual (Library / Athenaeum), The Spiritual (Synagogue) and The Commercial (Market Building).
Adam Silverman
May 2025
