Tun Tavern

The Tun Tavern

Transcription:

John Weber: Hi, I'm John Weber, and this is your WHYY Philly Phun Phact. Or in this case, Philly Tun Fact. Few people know that the US Marine Corps began at a Philadelphia bar named the Tun Tavern and that a former Quaker was its first commandant.

Jim Murphy: Samuel Nicholas was named head of the Marine Corps at the tavern on South Front Street near Sansom, November 10, 1775. On that date, the Continental Congress called for two battalions of marines to fight on sea and shore.

Jim Murphy: For his warlike efforts, Nicholas was thrown out of the Quaker meeting.

John Weber: That's tour guide Jim Murphy, author of Real Philly History, Real Fast. Tun, by the way, means cask, barrel or keg of beer.

Jim Murphy: Many Philly organizations started at Tun Tavern. George Washington, John Adams, Ben Franklin, and probably even Blackbeard the Pirate drank there.

Jim Murphy: A new tavern, the Tun, is now going up at 19 South 2nd Street.

John Weber: I'm John Weber, and that's your WHYY Philly Phun Phact.