Help Build and Preserve the Legacy: Donate Materials and Equipment to The Tun™ Project

The nonprofit Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation, Inc., is calling on all construction trades, vendors, suppliers and artisans to join in the effort to rebuild the historic Tun in Philadelphia, and is launching an Equipment, Material and Labor Donation Program to facilitate offers of help.

The Tun is the birthplace of the Marines in 1775, Freemasonry in Pennsylvania in 1731, and the founding or early meeting place of three benevolent societies – the St. Andrew’s Society, Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick, and the Society of St. George. The historic Tun is also 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.

“The historical significance of this project has already led several companies and individuals to contact us to donate supplies and services as a way of contributing to building and furnishing The Tun™,” said Pat Dailey, president and founder of the Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation. “With our new donation program, we can make this happen,” he said.

What is being built?

The Tun™ project is a three-story, 22,000-square-foot building with a tavern and restaurant, private dining room, museum, and outdoor space. It will be located at 19 S. 2^nd Street, between Market and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, a location that is within 250 yards of the original Tun Tavern. You can learn more about the location and view renderings and floor plans on the project page of The Tun™ website.

“The Tun™ is a ground up project, and all elements of this project need to be sourced and accomplished,” Dailey added. “Once up and running, all profits from operations of The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by the Foundation’s board. If you can help, please contact us so that we can begin the discussion of your donation to this historic landmark. All donations will be acknowledged, with significant donors listed on permanent plaques in or on the structure,” he said.

How can you help?

Through its Equipment, Materials and Labor Donation Program, the Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation welcomes donations of:

• Building materials and/or labor
• Kitchen equipment, table and barware, racks and shelves, etc.
• General conditions items such as street cleaning, first aid, drinkable water, portable toilets, etc. 
• Third-party expertise such as construction inspection, delegated design, etc.
• Furniture and historic accessories
• Historic artifacts, art museum curation, historic food expertise

“You don’t need to be local to donate,” Dailey added. “Perhaps you are a company or individual located out of state, but you still want to contribute. It may not make sense to ship equipment or provide labor, but you can underwrite the cost of that item or service, whether it’s plumbing or furniture or kitchen supplies. You would still be recognized with a significant donor plaque to be displayed permanently in The Tun™.”

How to donate:

Joey Fay is leading the Equipment, Material and Labor Donation Program, coordinating directly with the architect and builder for The Tun™. Please contact Joey Fay at jfay@thetun.org for more information or if you have a specific contribution you want to discuss.

Be part of history:

The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation encourages you to contribute to this exciting project and help preserve the legacy of The Tun™.