The story of Belcourt Castle began in 1891 when construction on what would be Oliver Belmont’s summer bachelor pad began. Finished in 1894, it was set as a getaway for him and his horses. The same architect who designed Marble House and The Breakers was hired to create the masterpiece. In 1896, Mr. Belmont fell in love with the recently divorced Alva Vanderbilt who added her own touches and sense of refinement to the stately manor after they married.

The house remained in the Belmont family until 1940 when it was then purchased by a Mr. George Waterman. It was sold again in 1954 to Elaine and Louis Lorillard, then again in 1956 to Harle and Donald Tinney, who lived at Belcourt for 56 years, collecting antiquities for the home from all around the globe. In 2012, it was purchased by the owner of jewelry company Alex & Ani, Carolyn Rafaelian, who has been restoring the home to its former glory.

For decades, there have been other residents discovered at Belcourt Castle but these particular residents are not among the living.

Along with the many changes in ownership, spirits have also called Belcourt Castle home, haunting the mansion's rooms and halls and giving residents and tour groups a fright.
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Belcourt of Newport/Facebook
Longtime Belcourt Castle residents, Harle and Donald Tinney were married here. Throughout the years, they collected antiques, art, and armor from many international locales. Some of the objects brought here are believed to have spirits attached, spirits that refuse to leave and call Belcourt Castle their forever home.
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Belcourt of Newport/Facebook
Harle herself had many paranormal encounters with ghostly entities while living at Belcourt.
Two Gothic chairs occupy the grand ballroom and are believed to have menacing spirits attached, giving those who touch them quite a chill. It's reported that a woman on a castle tour tried to sit in one of the chairs and was thrown into the center of the room. These chairs are now roped off.
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management/TripAdvisor

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One suit of armor has been host to paranormal activity including moans and screams. The armor's right arm supposedly moves just before a scream is heard. Did the owner die in it without his spirit crossing to the other side?
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Belcourt of Newport/Facebook
A monk has been seen around Belcourt after the Tinneys bought a German wood sculpture of a monk. He first appeared in the Tinneys' bedroom. At times, he appears in the chapel as if preparing for a mass and also along the grand staircase.
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Belcourt of Newport/Facebook
Several other ghostly apparitions have been witnessed around Belcourt along with moving objects and the sounds of disembodied voices. It's no wonder why this has become a popular place for ghost hunters to tour.
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Jenna Rose Robbins/Flickr

 

Have you experienced any ghostly activity while on a Belcourt Castle tour? If so, we would love to hear about it!

For more information on the history and to see photos, visit Belcourt Castle’s website or Facebook page.

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