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| The Newport Tower: Two Theories. by Travis Simpkins |
The Newport Tower: Two
Theories
by Travis Simpkins
Situated in Touro Park in Newport,
Rhode Island, the structure referred to as the "Old Stone Mill"
or more simply "The Newport Tower" has been a source of
mystery, contention and debate for more than a few centuries. The
Tower is seemingly older than the town, which was incorporated in
1639, and it was in ruins even in early Colonial times. Various
theories have attempted to explain the origin and purpose of the
Tower. The most common explanation is that what we see there is the
remains of a 17th Century Colonial windmill. It has also been
suggested that the Tower is several hundred years older and was
constructed by the Vikings during one of their transatlantic voyages.
Many additional conjectures, some more plausible than others, have
been offered as well. All things considered, the true origin of the
Tower remains unknown.
I first encountered the Newport Tower
in 2016. I was working on a series of portraits inspired by 19th
Century “Gilded Age” historical figures and had traveled to
Newport for a week to do research at the famously extravagant Newport
Mansions. I had booked a room at the Hotel Viking on Bellevue Avenue,
just around the corner from Touro Park. While out walking on my
second morning there, I saw the Tower and was fascinated by how
starkly it stood out from it's surroundings. It is a medieval-style
stone structure in the midst of 18th and 19th
Century wooden buildings. There was very little information about the
Tower in the park itself, so I undertook some cursory research on my
own. Looking further, I became overwhelmed with the many conflicting
theories regarding who constructed the Tower and why. Some of the
ideas were very far-fetched, and I immediately saw how the subject
might be considered poison to mainstream academic historians.
However, I noted two carefully conceived theories, both equally
interesting and no less controversial, which have become topics of
interest for Masonic studies and lectures in recent years.
Several authors, including Tim
Wallace-Murphy, David S. Brody and Scott Wolter have theorized that
the Tower was constructed in 1398 by Scottish nobleman Prince Henry
Sinclair, 1st Earl of Orkney (1345-1400?). The scenario
suggests that Sinclair, along with remnants of the Knights Templar,
used an old Viking map to island hop across the North Atlantic. They
made landfall in present day Nova Scotia and journeyed down the east
coast. In the area of what is now the town of Westford in
Massachusetts, one of the party died and was memorialized by a carved
effigy on a nearby rock ledge. This carving, of which only the sword
is visible now, is commonly referred to as the “Westford Knight.”
Sinclair then ventured further south and constructed the Tower to
serve as a multi-purpose monument, observatory and navigational
beacon overlooking Narragansett Bay. Henry Sinclair's grandson,
William Sinclair, further memorialized the Pre-Columbian voyage in
the cryptic carvings of Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland half a century
later. Much of the foundation of this theory relates to the style of
stonework construction used in building the Newport Tower, which is
strikingly reminiscent of structures still standing in Henry
Sinclair's homeland of the Orkney Islands. It also has simlarities to
the many “round” buildings known to be constructed by the
Templars. Freemasons in Rhode Island are naturally intrigued by this
possible Templar connection and at least one Commandery incorporated
the Newport Tower into the design of their pocket jewel. I'm sure the
Brethren at the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island have valuable information
on the subject as well.
Taking a different view, the work of
researcher Jim Egan argues that the Tower was constructed in 1583,
based on the design and specifications of Dr. John Dee (1527-1609).
John Dee was an all-around Renaissance Man. In addition to being a
mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, alchemist and Hermetic
philosopher, he was also a key advisor to Queen Elizabeth I. Egan's
theory maintains that the Tower's rough stonework was originally
covered in plaster (some of which is still visible) and various
decorative ornaments. It served as a testament to the Enlightenment
and was intended to be a welcoming monument for the first great
Elizabethan colony in America. Wars, interior conflicts and other
circumstances in England took priority, however, and the Tower was
abandoned and forgotten when full colonization became delayed. Egan
states that the Tower is in fact a horologium, a building that keeps
track of time, and he has demonstrated various precise solar and
lunar alignments which happen through the Tower's windows every year
like clockwork. He further states that the mathematical proportions
of the Tower are based on John Dee's well-known “Monas
Hieroglyphica” symbol. In addition to the astronomical and
numerical elements, his theory is further evidenced in old maps,
which refer to present day Narragansett Bay as the “John Dee
River.” Freemasons and other Esoteric minded individuals are now
flocking to the Tower each year on the summer and winter solstices to
see the impressive illuminations.
Two different theories, four authors
mentioned. As I understand, David S. Brody, Scott Wolter, Tim
Wallace-Murphy and Jim Egan are all available for presentations at
Masonic Lodges if you're interested in learning more (Wolter and
Wallace-Murphy are Masons, Brody and Egan are not). I've just
summarized their findings here, obviously, and I'm sure I've left out
some of what they consider to be the decisive points in their
arguments. I've purposely avoided offering my opinion (for that's all
it is) of the origin of the Newport Tower, instead just briefly
pointing out the basics of these two ideas, trusting that readers
will look for further information and reach their own conclusions...
perhaps even discover new evidence to support an entirely different
theory regarding this fascinating and enduring mystery.
- TS
