Taylor Swift’s unexpecteԀ 2020 album, “Folklore,” caught everyone off guard, even surprising her famous friends Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. They had carefully shielded the nаme of their third daughter from the public eye since her birth. However, Swift’s album unveiled the nаme in a track dedicated to her.

Our astonishment grew when we learned that one of the album’s songs subtly referred to Taylor Swift’s residence in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, a subject that intrigues us given our innate fascination with celebrity homes, particularly those steeped in history. We couldn’t resist conducting thorough research into Taylor Swift’s house, unearthing a captivating narrative that is truly reminiscent of one of her own songs.

In 2013, Taylor Swift made an extravagant purchаse, acquiring an 8-bedroom mansion along with 700 feet of waterfront in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, for a staggering $17.75 million. This expansive property spans 5.23 acres and holds the distinction of being situated at the highest elevation of direct waterfront land on the entire eastern seaboard. It stands as Rhode Island’s most expensive privately-owned residence.

Referred to as the Holiday House, Taylor Swift’s dwelling was constructed in 1930 and boasts not only 8 bedrooms but also an equal number of fireplaces. The reception areas include a parlor extending 36 feet, a sunroom spanning 45 feet, and a formal dining room with an intriguing octagonal shape, complete with built-in china cabinets.

The grandeur extends to the bedroom quarters, which encompass four en-suite bedrooms on the second floor, as well as an expansive master suite featuring dual bathrooms. This master suite encompasses a sitting room equipped with a wet bar and a widow’s walk terrace. The term “widow’s walk” denotes a rooftop platform enclosed by a railing and often crowned by a cupola or turret—a feature commonly found in 19th-century coastal homes in North America. This term is said to originate from the tradition of mariners’ wives watching in vain for the return of their sea-faring spouses, who often met their fate at sea, rendering the wоmen widows.

The residence offers numerous spaces for entertainment, including ample room for exclusive beach gatherings. Of note is the residence’s pool, a feature particularly familiar to Taylor Swift’s devoted fans due to her frequent hosting of celebrity-laden pool parties. Images of A-list attendees like Gigi Hadid, Ruby Rose, and Cara Delevingne often graced social media feeds following these extravagant events.

It’s no surprise that Taylor Swift shares a deep bond with her Rhode Island estate; in fact, during a recent appearance on Ellen, she professed that it’s her preferred location for spending holidays. Yet, what she omitted at that time is how profoundly she identifies with the woman who was the previous owner of the house.

Taylor Swift’s Holiday House was previously owned by none other than Rebekah Harkness, a prominent socialite who became a part of the Standard Oil dynasty through marriage. During her heyday, Harkness commanded media attention akin to Swift’s current celebrity status, often making headlines for controversial reasons. Interestingly, she exhibited a similar unapologetic attitude to that of Swift.

Also known as Betty Harkness, the woman referenced in Swift’s song “The Last Great American Dynasty” hailed from St. Louis and led a life of opulence. She founded multiple dance companies and went through four marriages, with her union to Standard Oil heir William Hale Harkness in 1947 catapulting her into the ranks of America’s wealthiest wоmen.

According to Rhode Island Monthly, the couple acquired the coastal estate shortly after their wedding, becoming renowned for their stylish yet somewhat extravagant gatherings. However, society’s reaction was swift and severe, casting out the once-revered socialite who had already earned a reputation for her eccentricities. In response, Harkness turned her back on conventional norms.

Her purported unconventional behaviors were plentiful and noteworthy: adopting a pet raccoon, allowing her dancers to rehearse on the front lawn at all hours, and hosting lavish parties for her inner circle, dubbed by the media of the era as “the bitcҺ squad.” The parallels to Swift’s own experiences are strikingly apparent.

Following her husband’s passing in 1954, historical accounts suggest that Harkness’s eccentricities only intensified. Swift’s song highlights some of the most outrageous escapades associated with the heiress, including filling her pool with Dom Pérignon, dyeing a pet green, and engaging in a relationship with Salvador Dali—a figure renowned for his eccentricity in the world of modern art.