Ancient tower meets modern U-Haul rental truck in our new SuperGraphic

A mysterious tower, which has been intriguing Rhode Island residents and researchers for years, has finally made its way out of the tiny Newport park where it has stood for hundreds of years. This ancient stone tower, found in Newport's Touro Park, now will see areas of the world its original designers could not have fathomed, as it travels across North America on the sides of more than 1,800 U-Haul moving vans.

There has never been a shortage of theories surrounding this mysterious link to Newport's past. But one thing about this structure remains astoundingly clear – this snapshot of the history of our country is a source of pride for Rhode Island and should be celebrated as such. This treasure of Newport and Touro Park is now educating people all over North America.

On Friday, June 20th at 9:30 a.m., the U-Haul Media and Public Relations Department, along with U-Haul Company of Rhode Island (Co. 796), unveiled the newest SuperGraphic representing the state of Rhode Island. The unveiling took place inside Touro Park, next to the famous Newport tower, in Newport, Rhode Island.

Marketing Company President (MCP) Don Riley presented plaques to a large number of dignitaries representing both the local and state government, as well as people involved with researching the tower, including Stephen Coaty, state representative; Edward Lavallee, Newport city manager; Jonathan Stephens, director of Economic Development; Keith Stokes, executive director, Newport County Chamber of Commerce; Stephen Coyne, city councilor; Bert Lippincott, reference librarian, Newport Historical Society; Evan Smith, CEO, Newport County Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Kathryn Farrington, vice president of marketing, Newport County Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Jan Barstad, president, Chronognostic Research Foundation; David Mathias, COO, Newport Restoration Foundation; Scott Wheeler, Newport Tree and Parks supervisor; Cheryl Helms, library director, Redwood Library; and Professor William Penhallow, University of Rhode Island.

After the official unveiling, everyone presented with a plaque was invited to sign the commemorative unveiling truck and step inside the gated structure protecting the tower – something very few people ever get the opportunity to do.

To learn more about the Newport Tower, please visit uhaul.com/supergraphics.

From L-R: Keith Stokes, executive director, Newport County Chamber of Commerce; David Mathias, chief operating officer, Newport Restoration Foundation; Stephen Coaty, state representative; Bert Lippincott, reference librarian, Newport Historical Society; Edward Lavallee, Newport city manager; Jonathan Stephens, director of Economic Development; William Penhallow, professor emeritus of physics, University of Rhode Island; Cheryl Helms, library director, Redwood Library; Jan Barstad, president, Chronognostic Research Foundation; Stephen Coyne, city councilor, Kathryn Farrington, vice president of marketing, Newport Convention and Visitors Bureau; Evan Smith, CEO, Newport Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Don Riley, MCP, U-Haul Company of Rhode Island

The official Rhode Island SuperGraphic unveiling truck was placed in front of the Newport County Convention and Visitors Bureau for everyone to see.

MCP Don Riley presents State Representative Stephen Coaty with his commemorative plaque.

Keith Stokes, executive director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce, signs the truck.

A rare look from inside the Newport Tower

The U-Haul truck in front of the Newport Tower

The Newport Tower in Touro Park

U-Haul Media and Public Relations Department and U-Haul Company of Rhode Island personnel pose inside the Touro Tower.