Belcourt

Castle

By: Tori Grubb

Summary

Belcourt Castle is the former summer cottage of Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont. Oliver's love of pageantry, history and horses in its magnificent interior halls,

salons and ballrooms is what was based on the design. The first floor was designed for

his most prized possessions, his horses.

How It Was Built

The outside appearance is made of brick and stone to form the windows, doors, and

fields of stucco.*fields of stucco*--a durable finish for an

exterior.

The finishes of the exterior wall include materials like brick, rough cast, westerly

granite, stucco, and half timbers.

The roof is made of materials that include slate and copper.

Flooring has materials that include oak, marble mosaic, Belgian brick.

How It Was Built The finishes for the walls are made out of painted canvas, oak, mahogany, silk damask and brocade,

gilding, imported panelling, and plaster.

*damask*--a rich pattern fabric

*brocade*--a heavy fabric woven with a rich design

*gilding*--process of applying an attractive appearance to a surface

*panelling*--panels in a wall or door

How It Was Built

Materials from the structure include steel I-beams, brick, concrete, heavy timber, iron.

The way the building was formed was like a large quadrangle, with two story wings connecting to a

three-story main block which is called the North Wing. The house can be viewed by 80 by 40 ft courtyard.

What it Looks Like

The first floor was made for the horses that had 2 big carriage entrances on both sides of the north façade. The west side of the Belcourt Castle was Belmont's

Francis I Renaissance-style Grand Hall and foyer which ended on the Ledge Road.

What it Looks Like

The monumental Gothic rooms had huge stained-glass windows that were emblazoned with the coat of arms of Dunois, the Bastard of Orléans. The room had an

original blood red color that has been replaced by the same fabric but in gold.

What it Looks Like

In the grand staircase that is now an exact copy of the stairs in the Cluny Museum in France, you can reach

the second floor of the Belcourt Castle.

What it Looks Like

What it Looks Like

Alva Vanderbilt who Belmont married made changes that gave a better look to the castle. After Belmont died the rest of the family sold their share to these

people named the Tinneys. The Tinneys filled the castle with their own antiques and redesigned objects.

Would This Type of House Work In Lenoir

I do not think that someone would build this type of house in Lenoir because it is too fancy. The structure

and materials that were used would work in some houses but it just would be better for a more

sophisticated town.

The End