Tao House timeline
1968
The Eugene O’Neill National Monument Association formed by Thalia Brewer, Darlene Blair, and Lois Sizoo.
1968
1971
Tao House placed on the list of U.S. National Historic Landmarks.
1971
1974
The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, is organized and incorporated as a non-profit organization to raise the funds for the Tao House purchase.
1974
1975
Jason Robards and Jack Dodson star in O’Neill’s Hughie at UC Berkeley to benefit efforts to preserve Tao House.
1975
1976
The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House, takes title to Tao House, subject to a deed of trust due in January 1978. Cranston’s bill passes the U.S. Senate. State Assemblyman Daniel Boatwright introduces urgent legislation providing for the purchase of Tao House with Collier Park Preservation Funds by the State of California. It is signed into law.
1976
1977
A Moon for the Misbegotten performed outside the old barn.
1977
1980
The National Park Service signs an Interim Agreement which stipulates that the NPS is responsible for building and grounds operation, maintenance, restoration, and public interpretive programming, while the Eugene O’Neill Foundation is responsible for artistic programming.
1980
1980
Ownership of Tao House is transferred from the State of California to the federal government.
1980
1982
With funds raised by the Foundation, NPS begins restoration of Eugene O’Neill’s study, dressing room, and bedroom.
1982
1983
With funding from the San Francisco Foundation, the Eugene O’Neill Foundation board of directors hires a planning consultant to assist with creating a five-year plan. The board approves the hiring of a part-time executive director.
1983
1984
The NPS announces an agreement reached with residents allowing limited daily public access to Tao House. This is an interim agreement pending resolution of final access road.
1984
1985
Tao House opens to the public, with a celebration; Helen Hayes is guest of honor.
1985
1996
Playwrights’ Theatre program established initiated by Prof. Travis Bogard to enable staged reading of O’Neill’s early plays, and the works of playwrights O’Neill influenced.
1996
1998
Foundation Library renamed “Travis Bogard Reading Room.”
1998
1999
First Annual Eugene O’Neill Festival held in Danville.
1999
2002
Major structural and seismic retrofitting of Tao House by NPS.
2002
2005
Dedication of the O’Neill Commemorative in Danville’s Front Street Park, designed by artist Michael Manwaring.
2005
2014
Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House celebrates its 40th Anniversary; Travis Bogard Artist in Residence program is initiated.
2014
2016
The National Park and Eugene O’Neill Foundation celebrate Twin Centennials, commemorating the 100th anniversary of both the Park Service’s founding and the first production of an O’Neill play, Bound East for Cardiff, produced by the Provincetown Players in 1916.
2016