Tampa, Fla. — Today, the United States Semiquincentennial Commission visited the historic El Reloj Cigar Factory to recognize J.C. Newman’s participation in America250. This year, the cigars J.C. Newman rolls by hand at El Reloj have the official America250 seal on them. The Commission brought a custom America250 Airstream trailer to El Reloj and celebrated with J.C. Newman’s cigar workers and America250 cigars.
“J.C. Newman is proud to roll official cigars of the 250th Anniversary of the United States,” said fourth-generation cigar maker Drew Newman. “Cigars have been an important part of our country since its founding. Therefore, it is only fitting that we celebrate America’s 250th birthday with cigars handmade in America.”
First planted in the Virginia Colony in 1612, tobacco fueled the growth of the early Americas. At the time of the American Revolution, tobacco was cultivated in all 13 Colonies and many founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were tobacco farmers. Benjamin Franklin even pledged 5 million pounds of tobacco to help secure France’s support for the Revolutionary War.
“When my great-grandfather founded our family business in 1895, there were 40,000 cigar factories in the United States,” said Newman. “Today, El Reloj is the last large cigar factory still rolling cigars in the country. It is our privilege to keep America’s historic cigar-making tradition alive by handcrafting exquisite cigars in America.”
In 2016, Congress established the United States Semiquincentennial Commission to celebrate 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. America250 aims to engage all Americans in celebrating this historic milestone—including through licensing its America250 branding for unique, made-in-America products.
The Newman family invites cigar enthusiasts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by visiting El Reloj and lighting America250 cigars: The American, Angel Cuesta, LeRoy Neiman, and Tampa Smokers. Walking through the factory is like stepping back in time. Visitors can explore J.C. Newman’s museum, take a guided factory tour, learn how to hand roll cigars or attend a private event. El Reloj is the highest rated museum in Tampa on TripAdvisor.
In his 1958 autobiography Smoke Dreams, company founder Julius C. Newman wrote, “I could not help but realize more than ever what a great country this is. I am filled more than ever with deep pride to be an American.”
