TUN TAVERN LEGACY FOUNDATION SECURES LAND TO REBUILD HISTORIC SITE IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA, April 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation, Inc. (Foundation), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, today announced it acquired land to rebuild and reestablish an authentic reproduction of the original Tun Tavern building in Philadelphia. The Tun, constructed in 1693, is the birthplace of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania (1731) and the first documented lodge in North America, and the founding place of the St. Andrew's Society (1747), and the United States Marine Corps (1775). It is also the early first meeting place of the Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick (established 1771), the Society of St. George (founded in 1772, with earlier meetings at Tun Tavern), and is purportedly the place where John Adams and the Naval Committee met and drafted documents that outline the structure for what became the United States Navy (1775). A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for November 2024 in advance of the Navy and Marine Corps' 250th Homecoming Celebration in 2025.
- The Tun™ will be located at 19 S. 2nd Street in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood, known as "America's most historic square mile."
- The location is within 250 yards of the original Tun Tavern site at Water Street and Tun Alley on Philadelphia's waterfront, where the Tun stood until 1781.
- With the land acquisition, we have a strong base to move forward with the fundraising necessary to rebuild the historic Tun Tavern," said Rob Brink, Foundation Board Chair and Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Free and Accepted Masons.
- "The Foundation will operate The Tun™ as a functioning mariner's tavern and restaurant reminiscent of colonial Philadelphia.