Belcourt Castle

A Brief History: Belcourt Castle is located on 657 Bellevue Avenue in Newport Rhode Island. Oliver Belmont built the home between 1891 and 1894, as a place to get away and pamper his horses. The ground floor of the home was all stables. In 1896 Belmont married Alva Vanderbilt. She intended to use the space for entertainment purposes, and remodels were made. In 1940 it was sold to George Waterman who intended to turn it into a car museum. Waterman later sold it to Edward Dunn who rented it out and it was used as a space to repair equipment in World War II. In 1954 it was sold to Elaine and Louis Lorillard who planned on using it as a venue for the Newport Jazz Festival. Plans fell through and they sold it in 1956 to the Tinney family who used it to house their own private collection of antiques. In 2012 the castle was sold to Carolyn Rafaelian who is currently in the process of having it restored.

Haunted History: Belcourt Castle is reported to be haunted because of the antiques that are in the castle. The castle holds antiques from over 30 countries. Visitors have reported having chills when standing near the ballroom chairs or having a strange sensation of energy move across their hands. They have also said that they feel resistance when trying to sit in the chairs. Visitors have also reported hearing screams from the suit or armor in the ballroom. Orbs have also been spotted in photos taken throughout the house.