3. Touro Synagogue (Rhode Island)
Built in 1763, Touro Synagogue stands as America’s oldest surviving synagogue and a testament to early religious freedom. While sites like Plymouth Colony are celebrated for their quest for liberty, Touro quietly fostered tolerance and diversity in Newport, Rhode Island. Its congregation welcomed those seeking safety from persecution, setting a precedent for religious pluralism in the colonies. Today, this National Historic Site remains a powerful, though often overlooked, emblem of American ideals.
