About Whalestooth

Whalestooth Farm Trading Post was founded in 1971 by Albert and Ruth Tillman. We have seen many changes in our community over the years but we are proud to be one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in San Juan County.

We buy, sell and trade antiques, collectibles, art, vintage jewelry, oddities and curiosities.

Today Whalestooth Farm Trading Post is owned and operated by Thomas and Stephanie Tillman and Laura Tillman-Winningham. Thomas and Laura are the children of Albert and Ruth and have been involved in the antique business since they were children. Stephanie started working for Whalestooth Antiques in 1988 and married Thomas in 1994. Sabina Tillman, Tom and Stephanie’s daughter, helps in the shop and is the fourth generation on Orcas and third generation selling antiques here.

Laura Tillman-Winningham has been buying and selling antiques and jewelry since the 1960’s. Before Whalestooth Antiques was opened in Doe Bay in 1971, Laura worked in The old Tin Tub, The Tillman’s antique shop near their winter home in California. After college, Laura worked as a college professor for several decades and has retired as an Emeritus Professor to now work back in the family antique shop full time as a buyer. She goes to estate sales and shops to scout for the coolest items to offer to our customers.

Thomas Tillman has worked in publishing, as a locksmith, a substitute teacher, and as a communications engineer. He has been working every summer since he was a young child for Whlestooth Antiques.

Stephanie Tillman has been working for Whalestooth since 1988 and has also managed several retail businesses on Orcas.

Albert Tillman (1928-2004) started picking junk during the depression by walking the streets of Los Angeles with his red wagon. We would fix up his finds or turn them in to art and resell them to help feed the family. He opened his first antique shop as a part time business in 1962 and opened Whalestooth Antiques in Doe Bay on Orcas Island in 1971. At one time he had the largest collection of vintage lunchboxes at over 5,000 and the second largest collection of moveable books/pop-up books at over 7,000. He organized and managed antique shows and rare book shows up and down the West Coast. During that time he also retired as an Emeritus Professor, founded the first recreational scuba training agency in the US (LACO), founded the first international scuba training agency (NAUI), opened the first dedicated dive resort (UNEXSO) started the first underwater photographic society (LAUPS), started the first international underwater film festivals, served as the first Director of the Hugh O’Brien Youth Foundation, and proudly served as a medic in the Coast Guard in World War II. His legacy also includes numerous books on recreation, diving, history, antiques and collecting.

Ruth Tillman (1928-2004) was a jeweler and leading expert in vintage jewelry. She was also a psychologist and worked as a children’s behavioral specialist for schools and the city of Los Angeles. She was part of the research team for the PET and TET programs that was a major movement in parent and teacher effectiveness. She also managed the Late Life Parents Association and wrote many papers on child behavior topics.