Newport, Rhode Island is one
of the oldest settlements in America--it was established in 1690. Starting in
the 20th century this seaside community became a summer playground for some of
America’s wealthiest families.
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| Belcourt 1895 Shortly after completion. |
Many of this communities’
elegant homes, which have been around for several generations, are considered
to be haunted. One of these is Belcourt Castle.
Richard Morris an architect
designed and built this home for a 33-year old bachelor, Oliver Hazard Perry
Belmont in 1894.
Belmont only resided in this home for 6 to 8 weeks out of each year. He married a socialite, Alva Vanderbilt in 1896. After his death in 1908 his wife becoming bored traveled extensively. Belcourt then fell into disrepair. The chateau was sold in 1940 to an entrepreneur who hoped to turn it into a car museum--this never happened.
Belmont only resided in this home for 6 to 8 weeks out of each year. He married a socialite, Alva Vanderbilt in 1896. After his death in 1908 his wife becoming bored traveled extensively. Belcourt then fell into disrepair. The chateau was sold in 1940 to an entrepreneur who hoped to turn it into a car museum--this never happened.
The next owners, the
Lorillards seeing the grounds could accommodate 10,000 visitors used the property to hold regular
jazz festivals. During this time the home continued to deteriorate.
In 1956 the Tinney family acquired
the property. The Tinney’s owned Belcourt Castle for the next 56 years. They
filled the castle with their own extensive collection of antiques and
reproductions. They also fully restored Belcourt to its original grace and beauty.
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| Harle Tinney |
One member of the family, Harle
Tinney who married the Tinney's son feels the castle is haunted. This activity appears to be connected to
various items in the castle.
Harle Tinney saw the ghost of monk dressed in brown--she feels this haunting
originated from a carved monk statue the family owns. This ghost monk would only appear nearby this statue. When the statue was moved from its
place near a staircase to another room the ghost then only manifested in this
room. When the Tinney’s decided to place this statue in the chapel they feel it
appeased this ghost for he stopped appearing.
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| Belcourt Monk Statue |
A piano tuner working in the castle
heard loud screaming coming from one Japanese suit of armor.
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| Gothic Ballroom |
One night in the late 1990’s
Harle was headed to the castle’s kitchen when she noticed the stain glass
lights were on in the gothic ballroom. As she walked over and turned them off
she then heard a blood-curdling scream behind her. She quickly turned toward
the kitchen but the lights turned back on and she heard a second even louder
scream.
This 17th century Samrai armor has a helmet that is cracked by what appears to be from a medieval weapon piercing it. It is speculated this Sumrai experienced a painful death when a lance pierced his eye. Many visitors have claimed to see the face of a man inside this armor. He often screams as young girls stand nearby.
This 17th century Samrai armor has a helmet that is cracked by what appears to be from a medieval weapon piercing it. It is speculated this Sumrai experienced a painful death when a lance pierced his eye. Many visitors have claimed to see the face of a man inside this armor. He often screams as young girls stand nearby.
An 18th century mirror
that hangs in the castle’s music room is also haunted. When
people look into it they find their reflection moves even though they are not
moving. Items around the room that are reflected also appear to be vibrating.
The mirror itself does not move.
The castle also has two old salt
chairs * located in the castle’s gothic ballroom that are possessed by spirits.
On one occasion 70 visitors to the castle saw a “bolt of lightning shoot out of
one of these chairs.”
Many visitors have mentioned
that when they have placed their hands over these chairs they have felt
uncomfortable some even state they felt a strong static electricity jolt.
People who have sat in
these chairs state they felt an “immediate cold.” Others have reported waves of
nausea overwhelming them. Yet others state as they sat in one of these chairs-- it was if somebody else was already sitting there.
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| Belcourt today |
Harle Tinney tells the story of one male visitor who was touring the castle, he stopped and sat on one of these salt chairs. The tour guide then saw him physically ejected from the seat and thrown 6 feet through the air.
For years, Belcourt Castle offered a variety of haunted tours. The castle was sold in 2012. Harle
Tinney is the only surviving member of the Tinney family.
* Kings only used salt chairs
or throne chairs. Their high backs distinguish this type of chair.
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