Newport and Newington

Monday, the 15th — our last day of actual touring, visiting, vacationing. We started out by visiting and taking a tour of Newport, Rhode Island.  Did the tourist thing and took the trolly bus tour around the mansions and historic part of town, past the harbor and so on.  Impressive. Makes you think progressive taxation is not a bad thing looking at all that incredible amount of wealth piled up in one place.  

And the history in the old colony is impressive. Rhode Island has been around a while. Below is the oldest Jewish synagogue in the United States, established in 1658. (the building is relative young though, 1763).  

And check out this house, not much on style.  I had been noting the historic markers on the houses. Some were older but this one continued the social conciousness of the original owner.  See next photo for placard- and note recycling bins. To compare though I think current occupant probably needs to step it up. Recycling alone will not compare.

The streets are very narrow.

As were the aisles in Trinity Episcopal Church. The "First" Church in town where the wealthy attended.  Patt and I had a wonderful tour by a member of the congregation who shared a lot of the church's history and current activities.

 It has the "boxes" or private pews.  They are quite well done and relics of "tradition" when people "owned" their pews and outfitted them accordingly.

I took this from the balcony just to get an overview of some of the variety.  I think I will share this with the finance committee back at Edenton Street Methodist as a way to raise a little extra cash. We may have a few folks who just might like the idea of fancying up a pew for themselves.  

Around the walls of the church ned to the windows were numerous memorials, some ornate.  This one was quite striking.   A memorial to a Vanderbilt should be.  Check the date of being "lost at sea"  It was not the Titanic.  It was the Lusitania.

The pews seen from the balcony.

Patt and I tried one out.  It sat pretty good too.  It should.  Others who have sat in that pew include Prince Andrew, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II, and George Washington. Yes, that George Washington.  Little gold plaques were on the pew with names and dates of attendance of those so named.  I left the guide Patt's and my name so she could have another gold plaque made.

Outside view of the church.  It was a very nice day in Newport.

And we left Newport and drove to Newington to visit with John and Donna. Patt and I had a delightful afternoon and evening with them. Went to dinner and came back home and had dessert prior to our heading out — getting a jump on traffic around NYC.

Tomorrow is Interstate 81 south like way -way south.  like Mason-Dixon south.  (we avoid I-95)