Congratulations to Robert D. Brink of The Tun Legacy Foundation Board of Directors who has been named Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for the 2026-2027 term. This is the highest leadership position for a Freemason in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and a role once held by Benjamin Franklin in 1734.
“It’s a little awe-inspiring to have the same seat as Benjamin Franklin had, but it’s also a responsibility and there’s a lot of work to do,” R.W. Grand Master Brink said.
That work includes providing leadership for nearly 70,000 members in 344 lodges across Pennsylvania, guiding the fraternity during the nation’s Semiquincentennial this year to highlight the connections between Freemasonry and the founding of our country, and continuing the Masons’ long history of charitable efforts.
Brink shared plans for his two-year term during his installation ceremony at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, held on December 27, 2025, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The event was attended by representatives from Masonic Lodges throughout the East Coast of the United States, as well as Minnesota, Nevada and Ohio.
Among the highlights was the announcement of Brink’s Grand Master’s Legacy Challenge to reestablish The Tun – the place where the Grand Lodge was founded and the principles of Freemasonry and our country took root.
“My fellow Freemasons, I ask for your support to bring this dream to reality. Momentum is building, and with your continued support, we will create a legacy for Pennsylvania Freemasonry, Philadelphia and our country,” he said.
Brink has been involved with the Masonic fraternity since 1997, having served six years as a Grand Lodge officer and previously as a District Deputy Grand Master. He and his wife, Allison Brink, have served on The Tun Legacy Foundation all-volunteer board since it was established in 2023. They were also among the first keystone donors of The Tun® project.
Allison and Robert Brink at the December 27 installation.
Photo courtesy of Timothy McKiernan, Grand Lodge Photographer
As chairman of The Tun Legacy Foundation, Brink has helped grow awareness of the connections between Pennsylvania Freemasonry, the establishment of the Continental Marines, and the historic Tun. That history is shared in the four resources compiled below – including two videos shown at the December 27 installation.
Please view the information to learn more about the history of Pennsylvania Freemasonry and The Tun, plans for the Semiquincentennial, and the Grand Master’s Legacy Challenge to rebuild The Tun. To participate in The Grand Master’s Legacy Challenge, visit www.thetun.org and click on the Contribute tab.
Video courtesy of Masonic Villages Public Relations Department
In this five-minute video, you will learn about two Freemasons who were instrumental in the founding of the Continental Marines – Masonic Brother Robert Mullan, proprietor of The Tun, and Brother Samuel Nicholas, who is recognized as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps. You will also hear about three Founding Fathers whose legacies were inspired by the tenants of Freemasonry – Brother George Washington, Grand Master Benjamin Franklin, and Brother John Hancock.
This four-minute video focuses on the connection between Pennsylvania Freemasonry and the United States Marines, and the connection between the founding principles of the United States and Freemasonry.
A Brief History of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania
Freemasonry in Pennsylvania traces its beginnings back to the early 18th century, when colonial Philadelphia was a center of Enlightenment thought, commerce, and civic progress. The earliest documented Masonic activity in North America, dating to the year 1715, comes from the diary of John Moore, who was the Collector of the port, where he mentions that he had “spent a few evenings of Masonic festivities with my Masonic brethren.” On June 24, 1731, the first meeting of the “Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania” was held at the Tun when William Allen was elected the first Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania.
Freemasonry in Pennsylvania became firmly established under the guidance of notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin, who served as Provincial Grand Master in 1734. That same year, Franklin reprinted The Constitutions of the Free-Masons for distribution in the colonies. That document outlined many of the Masonic ideals, such as religious tolerance, constitutional government, meritocracy, advocacy for education and science, and one man – one vote, that later became enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
A crowning achievement for the fraternity was the construction of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia in 1873 — an architectural masterpiece that symbolizes the fraternity’s heritage and ideals. Another significant accomplishment was the founding of the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown in 1910—now known as Masonic Villages. Established to care for aging Masons, their families, and widows, the Masonic Villages have grown into a statewide network of 5-star rated continuing care communities offering health care, retirement living, children’s services, and memory support.
Today, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and its appendant bodies support a wide range of charitable programs and foundations, including:
- Masonic Villages of Pennsylvania
- The Masonic Children’s Home
- Masonic Youth Foundation
- The Masonic Charities Fund
- The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania
- The Masonic Blood and Organ Donor Program
- Support for Veterans, First Responders, and Disaster Relief
Together, these charities embody the living practice of the Masonic principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth—values that have guided Pennsylvania Freemasons for nearly three centuries and continue to inspire service to humanity.
The Fraternity continues to thrive with nearly 70,000 members in Pennsylvania. It invites men of good character who have a desire for knowledge, friendship, and charitable and community service opportunities. Learn more at www.pagrandlodge.org.
The Pennsylvania Freemason Inaugural Edition 2025
Cover image courtesy of Masonic Villages Public Relations Department
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