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Philadelphia, PA – As the Marine Corps approaches its 250th anniversary, plans are underway to recreate a significant piece of its storied past. The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation has successfully acquired a plot of land with the goal of reconstructing Tun Tavern, the legendary site where the Marine Corps is believed to have originated.
Scheduled to open in November 2025, in time for the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday, the project aims to recreate an “authentic reproduction” of the original tavern. This initiative, led by the foundation and supported by retired Lt. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Association, promises to offer Marines a place to honor their rich history in the very city where their branch was established.
Historically, Tun Tavern holds a revered place in Marine lore as the location where Samuel Nicholas, by order of the Continental Congress in November 1775, began recruiting for what would become the first battalions of Continental Marines. Despite its destruction in 1781 and ongoing debates among historians about the exact location of Nicholas’s recruiting, Tun Tavern has maintained its iconic status as the Marines’ birthplace.
Beyond its significance to the Marine Corps, Tun Tavern also played a pivotal role in the history of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania and served as a venue for pivotal meetings that contributed to the formation of what is now the Navy, underscoring its importance in American revolutionary history.
The planned tavern and restaurant will not only serve as a gathering spot but will also feature historical exhibits and host special events to educate visitors about its historical significance. Profits generated by the establishment will support various causes linked to the organizations that were founded or met at the original Tun Tavern.
Located at 19 South 2nd Street in the historic Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, the new Tun Tavern site is a mere 250 yards from where the original tavern stood. With the land now secured, the foundation is turning its efforts towards fundraising, with financial backing coming from a mix of private donations, corporate partnerships, and federal and state grants.
A groundbreaking ceremony is slated for November 2024, marking a significant milestone in bringing this historic project to fruition. This endeavor not only commemorates the Marine Corps’ inception but also revitalizes a pivotal piece of America’s revolutionary heritage.
Source: Marine Corps Times
