Hide Notes 

Slide 1: FAMOUS AMERICAN HOUSE Click to edit Master subtitle style BELCOURT CASTLE 12/15/11
Slide 2: BELCOURT CASTLE - INTRO 12/15/11
Slide 3: HISTORY  Belcourt castle was designed by Richard Morris Hunt and was owned by Oliver Belmont. It is 50,000 sq. ft. castle with 60 rooms. This castle’s design was based on Louis XIII hunting lodge at Versailles. Total contraction cost in 1894 was $3.2 million. The first floor of the castle had a huge carriage and a multitude of stables for Belmont’s horses. The second floor had a master bedroom and a bathroom equipped with a standing shower, this was Newport’s first standing shower 12/15/11
Slide 4: HISTORY  In 1895 the castle was extended and the building was formed of a large quadrangle, with two story wings connecting to a three story North block. An oval copper dormers and chimneys with same design as walls were pierced to the mansard roof. The whole castle looked magnificent and the ground floor which had vast collection of horses and carriages was accessed by two huge entrances on either side of North façade.  On January 11, 1896 Belmont married Alva Vanderbilt. Ava made few changes to enhance the beauty of this beautiful castle. She converted the carriage room in to a banquet hall. Belcourt hosted nation’s first automobile parade in 1899. 12/15/11
Slide 5: CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP  In 1933 after the death of Mrs. Belmont, the ownership of Belcourt was given to the eldest son Perry Belmont and Alva’s brother in law. Perry moved to other estate as Newport was a naval base and potentially at risk during II World War. In 1940 Perry sold this historical house to George Waterman for $1000 and he 12/15/11
Slide 6: THE TINNEY’S The Tinney’s family bought the Belcourt for $25,000 and renamed RENOVATION renovations were made including a Belcourt as Belcourt Castle. Many  Hyacinthe Rigaud portrait of Louis XIV and an enormous Russian style chandelier. The Chandelier had 13,000 rock crystal prism and 105 lights; it was hanged in the banquet hall.  Tinney’s family made so many changes to the castle and it was the third largest castle in Newport, after The Breakers and Ochre Court. On 26 May 2009 Harle Tinney put the castle up for sale after the death of her husband in 2006. 12/15/11
Slide 7: MATERIALS USED:   Exterior wall finishes: brick, rough cast, Westerly granite, stucco and half timbers. Roof finis hes: slate and copper (oval dormers, flashing and flat areas). Interior decorative finishes: The interior finishes at Belcourt were completed by 300 imported artisans. Ceilings: chestnut beams, gilding, sculpted plaster. Flooring: oak, marble mosaic, Belgian brick. Wall finishes: painted canvas, oak, mahogany, silk damask and brocade, gilding, imported panelling, plaster. Other: stained glass, bronze (light fixtures). Other: wrought iron (gates, grilles and railings), stone (pilasters, pathways and estate walls). 12/15/11      