"The goal of Down East has always been to hold a mirror up to Maine — its storied past and lively present — and to celebrate its flinty, independent character and unhurried way of life. As Maine has changed with the times, however, so has Down East. Today the state has come to embrace its future as well as its past. Accordingly, the magazine now focuses more on contemporary Maine life and what the future might bring and less on historical background and quaint rusticity. Booming circulation and advertising gains demonstrate the wisdom of this editorial shift."
Portland Public Library's collection of Down East is complete, and begins with the first issue, August 1954. The hard copies are available in the Portland Room.
Submissions from 2023
Maine Fauna A to Z: A is for Arctic Char, Brian Kevin
Maine Fauna A to Z: C is for Caribou, Ron Joseph ["as told to"]
Maine Fauna A to Z: D is for Dogs, Kathryn Miles
Maine Fauna A to Z: H is for Hagfish, Virginia M. Wright
Maine Fauna A to Z: J is for Jackson Laboratory, Peter Andrey Smith
Maine Fauna A to Z: M is for Moose, B. K.
Maine Fauna A to Z: P is for Puffins, Derrick Z. Jackson
Maine Fauna A to Z: S is for Sturgeon, Scot McFarlane and John Lichter
Maine Fauna A to Z: W is for Whitetails, Nora Saks
Maine Homes: Block Party, Virginia M. Wright
Maine Homes: Dahlia Mania!, Aurelia C. Scott
Maine Homes: Domestic Art, Sara Anne Donnelly
Maine Homes: Hall of Fame, S. S.
Maine Homes: Home Sweet... Powerhouse?, S. S.
Maine Homes: House Tour: Bringing Their "A" Game, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: House Tour: Design on a Dime, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: House Tour: Humble Abode, Sara Anne Donnelly
Maine Homes: House Tour: Ranch Hands, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: House Tour: Spiritual Home, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: House Tour: Team Effort, Sara Anne Donnelly
Maine Homes: House Tour: Three by the Sea, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: Nailing that Navy Quotient, Brian Kevin
Maine Homes: Opportunity Knocks?, Nora Saks
Maine Homes: Peony Pride, Aurelia C. Scott
Maine Homes: Print Preview, Virginia M. Wright
Maine Homes: Rock Star, Virginia M. Wright
Maine Homes: Wanted: Eloquent Innkeeper, S. S.
Maine Homes: Wild Life, Virginia M. Wright
My Favorite Place: Antonio Rocha: Celebration Barn Theater, South Paris, Hadley Gibson
My Favorite Place: James Francis: Mud Pond Carry, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Brian Kevin
My Favorite Place: John Stirratt: Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Bridget M. Burns
My Favorite Place: Kate Aldrich: The Damariscotta River, Brian Kevin
My Favorite Place: Kate Stookey: Falls Bridge, Blue Hill, Brian Kevin
My Favorite Place: Kimberly Hamilton: Chebeague Island, Brian Kevin
My Favorite Place: Linda Greenlaw: Morgan Bay, Surry, Adrienne Perron
My Favorite Place: Steven Rowley: South Portland Public Library, Bridget M. Burns
My Favorite Place: Todd Field: Rockport Post Office, Brian Kevin
North by East: Amphibious Assault, Will Grunewald
North By East: Are We There Yet?, Will Grunewald
North by East: Beak Outlook?, Mary Pols
North by East: Bridging the Gap, Will Grunewald
North by East: Candid Cameras, W. G.
North By East: County Kid, Michael Colbert
North by East: Fairy Tale Ending, Will Grunewald
North by East: Flight Risk, Jesse Ellison
North by East: Getting the Birds Back Together, Michele Christle
North by East: Hitting Rewind, Joel Crabtree
North by East: Illustrated Man, W. G.
North by East: In with the New, Will Grunewald
North by East: John, Mayor, Brian Kevin