The castle is actually a 60 room mansion built for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont in 189, who had herited 60 million dollars from his father who was an America Rothchild banking representative. Oliver married Alva Smith Vanderbilt in 1896, she had not long divorced his buisness partner. After Oliver died in 1908 Alva along with architect John Russell Pope redesigned the first floor. Alva continued to live on and off at the mansion until her death in 1933. Oliver's brother Perry then sold Belcourt, its land and all the furnishings in 1940. It remained unoccupied until 1956 when the Tinney family bought it. They furnished it with tantiques and art they had collected from many different countries and Newport mansions. Even though it is now a museum the owner Mrs Donald Tinney still lives there.

Not just apparritions are seen at Belcourt but, chairs, amour, statues and a mirror are also believed to be haunted, the most active room is said to be the Gothic Ballroom.