Saturday, November 8, 2025

The Tun Lunch and Learn
Masonic Temple Library & Museum, One North Broad St.

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
$35

Enjoy lunch and a panel discussion with representatives of the six organizations with a heritage at the historic Tun – the United States Marines, Pennsylvania Freemasons, United States Navy, Society of St. George, St. Andrew’s Society, and Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick. Consider this your Tun college course. There won’t be a quiz at the end, but there will be fun trivia with prizes.

The Tun Legacy Tour
Starts at Second St. between Market St. and Chestnut St.

1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
$50

Be part of the debut of The Tun Legacy Tour and see Philadelphia sites significant to the historic Tun and the establishment of the Continental Marines. The tour will be a legacy of the 250^th United States Marine Corps birthday celebration in Philadelphia, offered in 2026 as part of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s Semiquincentennial celebration, and as a regular offering once The Tun® opens.

Experienced guides, destination experts and historical reenactors will share the story of the historic Tun in Philadelphia, from its beginnings in 1686 on Philadelphia’s waterfront, where it stood for nearly a century, to its future as The Tun®, a project that is preserving history for future generations.

The fully accessible two-hour bus and walking/rolling tour will visit locations including:

• Independence Hall
• Original site of the historic Tun
• The Tun Historical Marker
• Arch Street Meeting House Burial Ground, resting place of Samuel Nicholas, first commandant of the Marine Corps
• Christ Church Cemetery, resting place of Robert Mullan, a Tun proprietor
• Washington Square Park, resting place of Joshua Carpenter, the Tun builder
• Library Company of Philadelphia
• Irish Memorial
• Monument to Scottish Immigrants

All guests on the tour’s debut day will receive a commemorative gift.

The Tun Legacy Tour was developed with a grant from America250PA, and in partnership with the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides and WeVenture Philadelphia.

Rendering of The Tun®

Olympia Tour
Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. 

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$20

The oldest steel warship afloat in the world is docked on the Philadelphia waterfront. U.S.S. Olympia served in the United States Navy between 1895 and 1922. During the Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898, Olympia was the flagship of Admiral George Dewey. In November 1921, Olympia was chosen by the Navy for the sacred duty of transporting the first Unknown Soldier back to the United States. On that voyage from France to Washington, D.C., a platoon of Marines guarded the Unknown Soldier, who was then laid to rest at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921.

Olympia is part of the Independence Seaport Museum. While the museum is ADA-compliant, please be aware that the Olympia is not. Accommodations for those wishing to experience the story of the Olympia will be made.

Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Welcome Dinner at the Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. 

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
$100

Casual attire 

The Independence Seaport Museum on the Delaware River at Penn’s Landing is the perfect place for a welcome dinner focused on Philadelphia’s early port history and the origins of the Tun. Roam the museum to view historical maps of the Philadelphia waterfront, and tour the Seaport Boat Shop, which showcases traditional boatbuilding. You can enjoy local beers, served on a boat bar, and dine on Philadelphia favorites, including cheesesteaks and crab fries, with Philadelphia water ice and Tastykakes for dessert. Pat Dailey, president and founder of The Tun Legacy Foundation, will talk about why the Tun was built on Philadelphia’s waterfront and what William Penn, founder of Philadelphia, had to do with it.

Credit: M. Fischetti

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»  Monday November 10th
»  Tuesday November 11th