Historic Tun Tavern and the Marine Corps in Philadelphia
Historic Beginnings
The Tun Tavern… Its Historic Past
The Tun Tavern (the “Tavern”) was a brew house built by Samuel Carpenter in 1685. It was located on Philadelphia’s historic waterfront at the corner of Water Street and Tun Alley leading to Carpenter’s Wharf near what is today known as “Penn’s Landing”.
The First Brew House
Historically, it is regarded as the “First Brew House” built in Philadelphia in 1685, and among the very first in the country. Carpenter’s purpose in building the Tavern was to commence the development of the Philadelphia waterfront which he intended as a site for various businesses. The Tavern soon developed a reputation for fine beers in the City of Philadelphia and maintained that reputation for over a century. Its name is derived from the old English word “Tun” meaning measured cask, barrel, or keg of beer.