Marine Patrick Dailey is bringing new life to the former Tun, the historic 17th- and 18th-century tavern recognized as the traditional birthplace of the United States Marine Corps.
The Tun will open just 250 yards from its original location beneath I-95, in the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City.
Dailey told What Now Philadelphia Marines take pride in their birthday, which is honorably celebrated each year on November 10.
“I was out of the Marine Corps for probably 10 or 15 years. I started to reconnect with other Marines that I met in the Philly area and knew of this party that used to take place in South Philly at a very small hole-in-the-wall bar at the end of a bunch of row homes that was owned by a Marine at one time,” Dailey said.
He continued, “Literally 3,000 to 5,000 Marines would show up. All these guys would come here in snow and rain, regardless of the weather. They all came out to have a beer and birthday cake with friends. I just thought, what would they do if Tun was still around?”
From that moment, Dailey began researching, gathered old city maps and started crafting a business plan to revive The Tun with several other groups.
In February 2021, Dailey launched The Tun Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit formed with representatives of longstanding ties to the tavern, including the U.S. Marine Corps, Pennsylvania Freemasons, St. Andrew’s Society, Society of St. George, the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick and the U.S. Navy.
While The Tun will honor these organizations, it will remain open to the public, welcoming all visitors.
All profits from operations of The Tun will be donated to support veteran causes, charities and educational support.
“I thought I could create something that would be a perpetual contributor to these Marine charities that help families who lost a parent in the line of duty or kids that need help with education, that would be a good use of the money,” Dailey said.
The Tun will consist of three floors and a cellar.
“We have the original tavern, which faces 2nd Street and the first floor of that will be the classic mariners tavern. Above that on the second floor will be dining areas or meeting areas. There’s three components to this building–the original tavern, Peg Mullan’s and then a small museum,” he said.
The second floor will be divided into two sections: a smaller room with 12 to 14 seats, separated by a partition from a larger dining area accommodating 50 to 60 people.
Daily explained Peg Mullan’s was a beefsteak club held in the tavern during the 1740s and ’50s.
The Tun’s food and drink menu will feature authentic fare from the tavern’s early days.
“I’m excited about making it historically accurate and making it a place that people can really learn the history of the organizations and what life was like back in those days,” Dailey said. “We do have modern conveniences, like indoor plumbing, but it will be a place that is accurate and as correct as we can make it. I told the architect to make it look 300 years old the day it opens.”
The Tun is currently funded entirely by donations and the Foundation plans to break ground as soon as funding is secured.
“It’s creating an opportunity for Marines that has not been possible for more than 100 years,” Dailey said. “People have been imploring whoever would listen for decades to rebuild this place. We living Marines–with the help of the heritage organizations–can be the generation who got it done.”
