Aerial view of a large mansion surrounded by green trees and grass, with two cars parked in the driveway.

History of Belcourt Mansion

Black-and-white portrait of a young man in formal attire, facing sideways with a serious expression.

Belcourt was constructed between 1891 and 1895 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.

Sepia-toned photograph of an antique museum or showroom filled with vintage horse-drawn carriages and wagons, with wooden beams and framed pictures on the walls.
A vintage black-and-white photo of an empty indoor corridor with a tiled wall on the left, framed pictures on the wall, and a row of lamp fixtures hanging from the ceiling. On the right side, there are horse stalls with metal decorative fencing, and
Old sepia photograph of a large, historic house with ornate architecture, multiple windows, a turret, and a lawn in front.
A black and white portrait of a woman in vintage clothing and a large decorative hat with feathers and flowers.

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.

A sepia-toned photograph of a grand, castle-themed room with high arched ceiling, banners hanging from the ceiling, and a fireplace at the center. The room contains various chairs, tables, and decorative statues.
A vintage, ornately decorated room with tall columns, heavy patterned drapes, potted plants, and elegant chairs arranged around a table.
A large crowd of people seated outdoors, attending a performance or speech in front of a building with trees surrounding the area.

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.

Aerial view of residential neighborhood with multiple houses, trees, and open fields, captured in black and white on Kodak safety film.
Interior of a historic building with vaulted ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and flags hanging from the ceiling. The space includes antique furniture, stained glass windows, and decorative architectural details.
Two women hugging and smiling at the camera, one elderly with gray hair and glasses, the other younger with dark curly hair.

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.