“A Plan of the Town of Newport in Rhode Island:” Newport’s Colonial Landscape

When many of us think about the past, we think about words.  Words fill the diaries, newspapers, speeches, account books, government documents, and other items that we use to tell the story of the past.  Thus far, our blog series has focused on words: we explored what...

“Noe person… shall bee any wise molested… for any differences in opinione in matters of religion:” The 1663 Rhode Island Charter

Since the Spectacle of Toleration project celebrates the 350th anniversary of the 1663 Charter of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, let’s spend some time discussing its historical context and the document itself.  Many of us may know that the Charter granted...

“This IS a Christian nation:” Michael Feldberg on the Founding of the United States and Israel

In our last few posts here at the Spectacle of Toleration blog, we have been discussing “How Christian an Understanding?,” the June 21 event sponsored by the Newport Historical Society.  Our first panelist, John Fea, author of Was America Founded as a Christian...