Belcourt Castle’s popular Ghost Tour will begin the 2009 Season in February on Friday the 13th at 4:30 pm. “What are ghosts?” and “Who sees ghosts?” are questions answered by Miss Virginia Smith, who visited Belcourt for the first time over 15 years ago and discovered some active ghosts within the 60-room gilded age mansion. A world traveler, Miss Smith relates personal experiences, while showing her slides of haunted places she has visited here and abroad. Some curious tales were related to her by friends, who entrusted her with their stories of personal encounters with unexplained phenomena. Miss Smith, a sensitive, will demonstrate the energy left behind in Belcourt’s “most haunted room”, the French Gothic Ballroom.
Mrs. Harle Tinney, who has resided at Belcourt Castle since she married Donald Tinney in 1960, tells of her many visitations by a spectral monk. Asked if she was frightened by the spirits in Belcourt, she admits to one or two scares attributed to haunted objects. “Belcourt itself is not haunted” she says “but, some antiques came complete with spirit. The Tinney Family acquired pieces from 33 countries from ancient to modern times. Some may be trying to tell their story to sensitive people who will listen.” Mrs. Tinney’s collection of ghost stories is completed and ready for publication this year.
The ghost tour is about 1 ½ hours long and is not recommended for children under 8. Winter Festival Ghost tours are also given on February 17,18,19,20 at 5:00 pm. The capacity for Ghost Tours is limited making reservations suggested.
Following the Ghost Tour on February 13th at 7:00 pm Mrs. Harle Tinney, owner of Belcourt Castle, will host a Champagne Candlelight Tour, offering a welcoming toast to good health and world peace. Every museum room is illuminated with votive candles in a tribute to those in our armed forces, who are serving in dangerous areas. The evening tour encompasses Belcourt Castle’s rich social history as told in the romantic atmosphere of candlelit rooms. Mrs. Tinney’s life with the Tinney Family at Belcourt spanning 48 years is a fairy tale come true.
Other champagne candlelight tours, introduced by Mrs. Tinney, are scheduled for February 16th, 21st and 22nd at 6:00 pm
Belcourt Castle is a Louis XIII style hunting lodge, designed by Richard Morris Hunt, “the Dean of American architects”. Three hundred skilled European craftsmen were employed in Belcourt’s creation, costing 3 million dollars in 1894, a figure of approximately seventy-five million dollars in 2007.
Millionaire Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont’s passion was for horses and medieval life, which is reflected in his summer cottage. Once there were thirty stalls for carriage horses in the south wing stable, and a carriage room with a mosaic floor holding 18 horse-drawn vehicles of all types. In 1896 Oliver Belmont married Alva Smith Vanderbilt, who had just divorced William Kissam Vanderbilt. Mrs. Belmont, “knee deep in mortar” effected many changes in Belcourt’s design in her more than twenty years summering at Belcourt, including adding a kitchen and guest rooms for the first time, adding a beautiful English Library and changing the position of the grand staircase at least three times.
Guided tours, appropriate for the whole family, will be held February 14th from 11am -3pm and February 15th to the 21st from noon to 4 pm.
No reservations are required for the guided tour. The cost is $15.00 per adult, with discounts for Seniors, Students and Children, AAA members and Winter Festival Button holders.
Ghost tours and Champagne Candlelight Tours cost $18.00 per person. Capacity is limited. Reservations are suggested by calling 401-846-0669 or filling in the form on the web site at www.belcourtcastle.org.
Check the web site www.belcourtcastle.org for the complete calendar of events February 13 to 22nd.
