More Than Antiques: The Dubords Preserved Maine’s Living Stories

If you asked anyone in northern New England for must-visit places for Americana, they would ask if you had called the Dubords yet. For over fifty years, Larry and Jean welcomed to their home in Farmington friends and strangers alike who sought a nice piece of American decorative arts, antique furniture, or folk art. The pair had a keen business sense and incredible eye for beautiful things—but most importantly, they appreciated the value of a good story, and they understood that the objects we use, trade, and pass down through generations embody the stories that make us human. That make us Mainers.

The Dubords didn't just collect some of the best decoys, country furniture, artwork, and baskets around—they collected objects imbued with stories. If you were lucky when you stopped by, you wouldn't just get to see a nice Mallard or Canada Goose; you would get to hear about Larry's last trip up into Canada to see his friends who carved the decoys. About what they were working on while he was there and what he would go back to pick up in a few months. About the time they got pulled over for a teetering load in the back of the van of wooden birds because someone thought they might have been alive in there. About the Mi'kmaq baskets and how the weaver last year insisted that they needed to take a few fishing creels to go with that antique fly fishing pole he picked up the next town over.

It's true that anyone who knew them knew that they kept the best things for themselves. It was never that simple: they kept the best stories safe, and ready to share openly, with the right person. The people who would appreciate more than just a nice grain-painted surface or elegantly veneered card table, who wanted to buy from them because they wanted to continue to protect, share, and add to an object's story. Larry and Jean's collection was not just an assembly of useful and pretty things; it was a symphony of stories about Maine, the people who lived here, and the talented craftspeople who knew Larry and Jean across the region.

Join us in honoring the Dubords’ legacy. Preserve a piece of Maine’s history by discovering and bidding on their Americana treasures in our upcoming auction. Explore the full catalog here:

Catalog - The Americana Collection of the Larry and Jean Dubord Estate

Phone bidding spots and in-person registrations are limited — secure your place now!

To register for in-person, phone bidding, or absentee bidding call 207-354-8141