Plank Owner

The origin of the term “Plank Owner” is the implication that a crew member was around when the ship was being built and commissioned, and therefore has bragging rights to the “ownership” of one of the planks in the main deck.  Major donors of The Tun™ receive special recognition based on donation tiers, including a Plank Owner certificate.

Benjamin Franklin Plank Owner (Major donors) – The highest donation level carries the name of The Tun’s™  most prominent and frequent guest, a third generation “Grand Master” of the Pennsylvania Freemasons, one of our nation’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin.  Donors will be recognized on a permanent inscription on The Tun’s™  keystone and with key acknowledgments.

Samuel Carpenter Plank Owner ($100,000+) – Samuel Carpenter, with his brother Joshua Carpenter, built the historical Tun.  Joshua operated the tavern as a brewery, later building a larger brewery and leasing the tavern. Donors will be recognized on a permanent inscription on The Tun’s™ cornerstones and with other key acknowledgments.

Samuel Nicholas Plank Owner ($50,000+) – Noted as the very first Commandant of the Marine Corps, Samuel Nicholas raised two battalions of Marines at the direction of the Continental Congress, and the rest is history.   Donors will have an engraved barstool in their name in The Tun™.

Peg Mullan Plank Owner ($25,000+) – The proprietors of Peg Mullan’s Beefsteak Club served the best fare in town and were noted amongst our Founding Fathers as they drafted portions of the U.S. Constitution.  A plaque on a table in the restaurant will recognize donors.

John Adams Plank Owner ($10,000+) – Considered the father of the United States Navy, John Adams drafted the Articles of War to guide the formation of the Continental Navy at the Tun. 

In addition to the donor-level acknowledgment, all Plank Owner donors will receive a custom Plank Owner certificate, special recognition on a plaque that will be permanently displayed at the entrance of The Tun™ , special acknowledgment on the website, an invitation to the groundbreaking ceremony, an assortment of gifts such as a handmade, engraved 32 oz. copper stein that will hang permanently in The Tun™ , Sons and Daughters of The Tun™ lifetime membership, and invitations to Plank Owner-only events hosted by The Tun Legacy Foundation.

» Contact us to learn more about becoming a Plank Owner.

» Download our Pledge Form.