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Mission

The mission of the Eugene O'Neill Foundation, Tao House, is to celebrate and promote the vision and legacy of Eugene O'Neill, America's foremost playwright.

To achieve its mission, the foundation collaborates with the National Park Service in restoring and preserving Tao House, providing for future generations a memorial that:

  • Perpetuates the vision of Eugene O'Neill
  • Provides artistic and educational programs which focus on Eugene O'Neill's contribution to theatre in America and the world;
  • Maintains a research library which collects, preserves and exhibits books, photos and artifacts related to Eugene O'Neill and the American theatre.

History and Organization Of The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House

The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House was established for the purpose of acquiring the house and developing the site into a center for performing arts and study. Scholars of the theater agree that O’Neill can be ranked, along with Shakespeare and Shaw, as one of the three greatest playwrights in the English-speaking world. O’Neill received four Pulitzer Prizes for his work and is the only American playwright to have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The first phase of the foundation’s activities focused on securing funds to purchase the house. Through several fundraising efforts (primarily benefit performances of Eugene O’Neill’s play Hughie by the late Jason Robards Jr. and Jack Dodson) the foundation made down payment, secured title and gained access to the house. Approximately $70,000.00 was raised through performances of Hughie and a production at Tao House of A Moon for the Misbegotten by Hanover College and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Through the efforts of Senator Alan Cranston and Congressman George Miller, the National Park Service and Congress accepted the house as a donation but had no current funds at that time for acquisition. Through the efforts of Assemblyman Daniel Boatwright and Sate Senator John Nejedly, the State of California appropriated the needed funds from the Collier Park Preservation Fund to purchase the house.

On October 19, 1976, President Gerald Ford signed SB 2398, calling for establishment of the Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, into law. Tao House officially became the property of the federal government on June 12, 1980.

The enabling legislation stipulated that the National Park Service is responsible for operation, maintenance and public programs. The Eugene O’Neill Foundation, Tao House is responsible for artistic and educational programs. The National Park Service’s General Management Plan, signed into the Federal Register in 1991 describes the plans for the site: small scale theatrical performances, an artist in residence program, full public access, seminars and interpretive tours. Through the efforts of the foundation, Tao House became a National Historic Site. The National Park Service has shown tremendous commitment to the project and has restored the house to its original design.

MEMBERSHIP is the primary source of revenue for the foundation. There are 8 levels of membership giving, with entitlements for the top tiers of membership. The foundation has a reciprocal membership agreement with the Eugene O’Neill Society.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors who serve staggered three-year terms.

HONORARY DIRECTORS are those who have served the Foundation in the past with distinction. The board appoints them for an indefinite term.

HONORARY MEMBERS are those persons in the world of theater, academia or journalism who have by their talents contributed to keeping alive the genius of O’Neill. A current list of honorary members can be found on the foundation Website. Past members include Jason Robards, Katherine Hepburn and Jack Lemmon.

COMMUNICATIONS
The website, (www.eugeneoneill.org) developed in 2001, and redesigned in 2005, serves as the major communication tool of the foundation. A newsletter is published semi-annually in the spring and fall.

RESEARCH LIBRARY AND MEMORABILIA
A significant library and collection of O’Neill memorabilia has been gathered through the efforts of individual board members and donations from friends of Eugene and Carlotta O’Neill. The collection is priceless and includes photographs, letters, signed and annotated editions of O’Neill’s plays, and personal clothing and works. The library, begun with grants from the East Bay Community Foundation, is available to individuals interested in learning about O’Neill.

In 1991, designated “The Year of the Library,” more that $37,000 was raised to bring the collection on-site. Major contributors included: The L.J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, the Tri-Valley Community Fund, The East Bay Community Foundation, Pacific Bell, IBM, Chevron, Kiwanis Club of the San Ramon Valley, Gagen, McMahon & Armstrong, Kraft General Foods, Bridges Restaurant Foundation, and former board member Susan O’Hair. The collection was professionally catalogued and shelved in an atmospherically controlled module, which was moved on-site in 1992. The library was officially opened in 1995.

THE BOGARD READING ROOM
Travis Bogard, professor emeritus of the drama department at UC Berkeley, and founding artistic director of the foundation, donated his extensive working library on O’Neill to the foundation, shortly before his death on April 5, 1997. The foundation office in the New Barn was remodeled to include the collection and establish the Bogard Reading Room for scholars and students of O’Neill. Bookshelves were provided from funds raised by the Rossmoor Auxiliary (active at the time) and friends of Mr. Bogard. The room was officially opened in 1998.
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