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Danville Town of
2 reviews
Danville, CA
Eugene O'Neill Natl. Historic Site
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9 reviews for Eugene O'Neill Natl. Historic Site
Tao House was Eugene O'Neill's home from 1936 to 1944, when the O'Neills sold it. It is now a National Historic Site. I've wanted to tour it for years and the opportunity to do so presented itself through the Emeritus Institute of the Contra Costa College District. Nina and Larry and Alan and I signed up. We met the shuttle bus at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley and were driven up to the house, which is amidst a gated community. We were part of a group of 14. When the O'Neills lived there they owned 158 acres and there were no neighbors. The views even now are stunning. Today the sky was clear and the air was starting to show a fall crispness. Mt Diablo loomed in the distance as a buzzard soared over the brown, oak covered hills. There are lots of houses now, many more than in the days of the O'Neills, but they're largely hidden by trees.
As the name of the house suggests, there are many design features in the house following or alluding to Taoist traditions and beliefs. There were layers of protections against evil spirits outside the house as well as in and subtle exhortations about how to live life. The ranger who guided us had been at this site only five weeks, yet he was able to give a lot of O'Neill family history and background and tie them to several of the plays. He gave a history of the house and the marriage, set in the context the tragedy and drama in O'Neill's childhood and later life. The furnishings are a mixture of those owned by the O'Neills, reproductions and similar pieces that weren't theirs. There is a reproduction of his Nobel Prize, which was beautiful. We'd never seen one before. The house and grounds are gorgeous and well maintained. The museum and the ride up from downtown are free. It's worth seeing whether you're familiar w/ O'Neill's work or not, although I think being familiar w/ it enhances the experience.
The oldest structure on the property is a white barn that was there when the O'Neills bought the property. It is now the site for public and private events on the property. In September there was an O'Neill play festival. In the gift shop were several panels displaying photographs from a recent high school retreat held there for local area kids interested in drama, art, photography, etc. Here's a link to the Eugene O'Neill Foundation, Tao House for more history: http://www.eugeneoneil... And to bring a tear to your eye, here's the last will and testament of Blemie, the O'Neills' dog: http://www.eoneill.com... This place is a cultural masterpiece and an asset to the larger community.
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I visited this National Historic Site as part of a goal to hit 10 National parks in 6 months. I have not seen any of O'Neills plays before I visited, but had seen a PBS special on his life.
The house is worth a visit even without any knowledge of America's only Pulitzer-prize winning writing. It's called Tao house because of the Chinese inspirations in building it. The views from the home are gorgeous, not surprising since the 13-acre site is located in a gated community and backs up to regional open space. Parks employees are well-informed and eager to share info.
Because of this gated community, you need to call ahead to get a national parks bus to pick you up from Danville. This summer ('09) they are having no reservation Saturdays where a shuttle runs at pre-appointed times from the museum of San Ramon in Danville. The best part is that both the shuttle and the museum are free.
After my visit, I went and added a few o'neill penned movies to my netflix queue.
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The view alone is a reason to visit this Tao House. When the weather is nice, and you can escape the groups, find a spot under a tree and write, write from all the inspiration the San Ramon Valley gives. I kick myself that I don't have a picture downloaded. The O'Neil history is throughout, but it still makes you beg for more. I won't deny the fact I ventured to the local bookstore, http://www.rakestrawbo.../, Rakestraw Bookstore, to get as many works of O'Neils as I could. The best part about it, this experience was over 10 years ago, and I still remember the Tao House!
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I visited Tao House on a unseasonably warm Saturday in November. Short sleeves and air conditioning in November WTF?
So we drive over to the spot where the shuttle will pick us up. The group consisted of me, my bf, and a group of 6-7 ladies in a Red Hat group. I have to confess we didn't know anything about O'neill before this tour. The red hats were very excited to go and very familiar with his work.
The shuttle arrived and we pile into the van and head up to the estate. The grounds were gorgeous!!! It was a perfect day to go up. The leaves were turning intense reds and yellows and the sky was so blue. I brought my camera along and just shot to my hearts content.
The house felt very closed in and narrow. O'neill's story was tragic and tormented. The grounds and the amazing view are definitely worth the trip even if you aren't familiar with O'neill's work.
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There is no present or future, only the past, happening over and over again, now.
There is only one reason to be in Danville and that's the Tao House.
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It's almost unfair for me to review this place since I love Eugene O'Neill's work so much, but since I'm a former Danville townie, I've got to.
First of all, it's free and that is rad (though reservations are required). Secondly, Kevin Spacey is an honorary member of their foundation (it's totally true: http://www.eugeneoneil... ). Incidentally Mr. Spacey played in recent Broadway production of The Iceman Cometh. And lastly, it's gorgeous. The house itself, its view high above the San Ramon Valley, the interior, all of it, gorgeous.
This house was the only place Eugene O'Neill (a one-time roving sailor and ever-tortured soul) ever felt at home. Leaving here was so heartbreaking for him, I imagine that it probably contributed to his death. It also has some interesting architectural notes. O'Neill's wife Carlotta (who was not actually latina, but took on the name Carlotta because she fancied being thought of as latin) had the house built in a spanish ranch house style with feng shui influences, like the front walkway not being a straight-line (to keep the bad demons out). There is also a sweet little grave site for their beloved dog, Blemie just beyond the barn.
Truly a piece of history right in your own backyard, if you live(d) in Danville, that is. :)
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I'm on a quest similar to Bucky K's and also had to make the trip alone. Tours are offered at 10:00 and 12:30 Wednesday through Sunday. You need to call ahead for a reservation. I found out that they will give you a tour even if you are the only one who signs up! The house has an amazing view and beautiful ranch surroundings. I learned a lot about Eugene O'Neill and his contributions to American theater, and about the history of the area. The Eugene O'Neill Foundation puts on performances here twice a year, I believe May and September:
http://www.eugeneoneil...
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When I visited, a shuttle picked my group up at the Sycamore Valley public transit lot, then ferried us up a steep hill to Eugene O'Neill's Tao House. The house was located on a private lane, remote access only, and was absolutely gorgeous to approach. (I agree with all previous yelpers--the view is sensational). I'll never forget upon first entering the house, the air felt extremely close--cloying even. Maybe I was just holding my breath, recalling all of the heaviness and tragedy in O'Neill's own life, or maybe it was that he was still there somehow, in spirit, scoping out each individual who came through the doors. I don't know. Regardless, after a moment, the sensation passed, and I could experience the twin dogs guarding the staircase, the rooms, the captain's quarters style area, Carlotta Valdez' Louis Vuitton luggage, and the like. At the gift shop, I purchased two postcards and an adorably round stuffed version of Blemie, the O'Neills' beloved dalmatian. It was so incredible to go and see the fences with the cow path, Blemie's grave, and the surrounding landscape. It made me hope that O'Neill had found some sort of peace by expelling his inner demons into his work. Regardless, it's well worth visiting (and revisiting, for that matter).
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My quest to visit all of America's National Parks led me to the Tao House where Eugene O'Neill wrote many of his plays, including The Iceman Cometh and Long Days Journey Into Night. You can only get to this site by shuttle, and you can only get on the shuttle by reservation. Kind of a weird exclusive hot-spot for history geeks... My wife opted out on the trip and I knew it was going to be interesting when I got on the shuttle and saw I was the youngest person by about 35 years. The house is located in Daville and it overlooks Mt. Diablo. The view itself is worth the drive out. The day trip includes a guided tour of the grounds and the house. After which you are given time to wander around by yourself. It was nice to get away from the city and just walk around the property seeing nature and its inhabitants around you. If you want a good cry swing by the tombstone where they buried their dog. They wrote a eulogy that is one of the saddest sweetest things I have read in recent memory.
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