Step into the world of DuMouchelles. Imagine a time when Detroit’s art scene was blossoming. This is the story of a family and their enduring legacy.
DuMouchelles isn’t just an auction house. It’s a Detroit institution. Founded in 1927 by J Norman DuMouchelle a descendant of French-Canadian farmers it began as “The Art Salon”. He had studied under renowned art dealer Emil Dittrich. He initially conducted weekly auctions in a historic Jefferson Avenue home.
Success led to a move to Woodward Avenue. Eventually DuMouchelles found a permanent home in the Albert Kahn-designed building at 409 East Jefferson Avenue. It quickly became a Detroit landmark. This building isn’t just a gallery it holds stories within its walls.
Generations of the DuMouchelle family worked within those walls. They built a reputation for handling estates of Detroit’s elite. Think the Fishers the Whitneys the Seyburns. The Youngs. Even the Dodge Wilsons. But their proudest achievement was helping everyday families preserve their legacies.
The DuMouchelles weren’t afraid to adapt. They stayed true to their roots. They welcomed seasoned collectors. They served local customers with the same care given to international clients. They’ve handled estates of luminaries like Liberace.
One unforgettable auction involved the estate of Matilda Dodge Wilson. The widow of a Dodge Motor Car Company co-founder her estate included an original Winslow Homer. It sold for a staggering $240000. That’s over $1.6 million in today’s money.
From handling the estate of Ruth Joyce a prominent Arab-American fashion designer to auctioning off former Detroit Mayor Coleman A Young’s Cadillac DuMouchelles has witnessed and shaped Detroit’s history. They’ve auctioned off everything from gowns to African tribal art. Even a Frederick Remington bronze fetched over $605000.
The family’s commitment has endured through tough times and rebirth. DuMouchelles remains a proud part of Detroit’s cultural landscape. It’s a place where art history is brought to life. You can feel the legacy in every carefully chosen piece.
So walk through its doors. Explore the stories held within these walls. Experience the DuMouchelles legacy. Discover your own piece of Detroit’s history.