History
Belcourt was constructed between 1891 and 1894 for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, a prominent American socialite and coachman. Belmont commissioned the renowned architect Richard Morris Hunt to design the mansion in a style quite similar to the hunting lodge of Versailles built for King Louis XIII of France. Oliver was particularly concerned with creating top of the line accommodations for his collection of horses and automobiles.
In 1896, Mr. Belmont gave the house to his second wife as a wedding gift. The new Mrs. Belmont was none other than the former Alva Vanderbilt, a prominent figure in the women’s suffrage movement and designer of the neighboring Newport Mansion “Marble House.” Under her guidance, she rearranged the house in order to entertain properly. The Belmonts began to use Belcourt as a gathering place for the elite of society, hosting lavish parties, balls and other social events, attracting notable figures from the worlds of politics, business, and the arts.
After Oliver’s death in 1908, the house passed through several different owners and was even the original site of the Newport Jazz Festival before finally becoming the residence of the Tinney family. Harold and Ruth Tinney, along with their son, Donald, changed the name to Belcourt Castle and filled the house with their collection of antiques and reproductions, including a replica gold coronation coach and an enormous Imperial Russian chandelier.
In 2012, Belcourt was purchased by jewelry designer and local Rhode Island entrepreneur and philanthropist Carolyn Rafaelian. Belcourt has since embarked on an extensive ongoing restoration project to bring the mansion back to its original splendor with the goal of bringing Belcourt into its next chapter by preserving its historic features while incorporating Carolyn’s own artistic vision.
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Delve further into the captivating past of Belcourt of Newport, unraveling its rich history and uncovering the tales that have shaped this architectural gem by booking a Guided Tour today!