Ghost Hunters at Belcourt Castle airs on April 8 at 9 PM

April 4, 2009 - PRLog -- The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) crew, including founders Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, conducted a lengthy four day investigation of famed Belcourt Castle, on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, in response to the Gilded Age mansion's reports of paranormal activity. TAPS itself was founded and is based in Rhode Island.

Unusual activity has been reported not only by the 60-room castle's owners and residents but also by the numerous staff and countless visitors. Corroborating accounts of various events are many and certain phenomena are known to occur regularly without any rational explanation. Interviewees on the episode, entitled "Soul Searching", include the castle's owner, Harle Tinney, members of the castle staff, volunteers and visitors. Mrs. Tinney, who has resided at Belcourt Castle for 48 years, graciously gave the Ghost Hunters crew unrestricted access to the main wing of the castle which is the location for most of the reports of paranormal activity. Mrs. Tinney firmly says, "energy left behind", when asked about what causes possible hauntings at the castle her late husband Donald bought with his family in 1956. The castle is filled with fabulous antiques, including furniture dating back the tenth century and fifteenth century armor that saw battle, which due to their age have "witnessed" untold amounts of history, life and loss. Owners, residents and staff have witnessed things as varied as a figure in dark clothing roaming the halls, sounds of screaming, a phantom ball, items moving by themselves, a lady in a pink ball gown at dusk and much more.

"Soul Searching" premiers April 8th at 9 PM EST on the SciFi channel and airs again at 11 PM EST. Be sure to tune in and witness the reveal of the evidence, which has been kept secret, that will be sure to surprise. Belcourt Castle is one of the few locations that TAPS asked to investigate rather than vice-versa.

Belcourt Castle (1891 - 1894) was designed by the architect Richard Morris Hunt for Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont, who married Alva, the divorced wife of William K. Vanderbilt. The Harold B. Tinney Family bought the mansion in 1956 and furnished it with a collection of antiques from 33 countries. Belcourt Castle is open during the day from 11 am to 4 pm for hourly guided tours. Ghost Tours with Virginia Smith have been conducted at the castle for over a decade. For ghost tour reservations on most Thursdays, Fridays and some Saturdays at 5 pm, or to schedule a group visit, please telephone 401-846-0669 or visit www.belcourtcastle.org.

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Belcourt Castle is a historic mansion museum in Newport, Rhode Island which features guided tours and events