"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 2018
2018 Down East Reader Photo Contest
Acadia National Park; A Peak Survival Guide: In midsummer, Maine's marquee national park is at its best- and, unignorably, its busiest. From town to trail, here's how to avoid the crowds, find the park's secret gems, and maker your Acadia adventure unforgettable, James Kaiser and Chris Bennett Photographer
Art Spots, Tina Fischer, Carl Little, Brian Kevin, and Erwin Sherman Illustrator
A Whole Other Kettle, Carla Jean Lauter
A York County Autumn: From Farms to Footpaths, Five Ways to Love the Fall in Maine's Scenic South, Bridget M. Burns and Douglas Merriam Photographer
Barn Swallows: Some of Maine's liveliest spots for dinner and drinks these days are down on the farm and for some Maine farmers, the gastronomic "barn social" is a key part of a new agrarian model, Willy Blackmore and Holly Haley
Best of Maine: Thousands of down East Readers Took Our Annual Poll To Tell Us What They Love Most In Maine-- From Landmarks to Lobster Shacks to Libraries. Then We Chimed in With a Few Picks of Our Own. So How'd Your Favorites Do?, Kathleen Fleury, Will Grunewald, Brian Kevin, Joe Ricchio, Sarah Stebbins, and Virginia M. Wright
Business; Blueberry Blues: Growers leave fields unharvested as they confront plummeting prices and a glut of frozen berries, Joyce Kryszak
Deep Space, Benjamin Williamson Illustrator and Brian Kevin
Dooryard; Home; Living Longer; Architect Eric Reinholdt updates an ancient house style for a difficult building lot and a tight budget, Virginia M. Wright and Meredith Perdue Photographer
Dooryard; Making It In Maine; Forging a Head: Bit by bit, South Portland's Brant & Cochran is bring back the Maine ax., Jaed Coffin and John Benford
Dooryard; Making It In Maine; Working Like Dogs: With social and environmental responsibility as a compass, Planet Dog aims to lead the pack into a dog-friendlier world, Virginia M. Wright and Cait Bourgault Photographer
Dooryard; My Maine; Oh, to Live on Cheddar Bay, Sarah Cahalan
Dooryard; Recipe; Rise and Shine; While away the most undemanding holiday of the year by baking bread, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard; Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Essay; Dawnland, Porter Fox
Favorite Places; Back Nine, Falmouth Country Club, Shawn Warren and Benajmin Williamson Photographer
Food and Drink; Alley Eats; Bowled Over, Joe Ricchio
Food and Drink; Brewing; Home Boys, Joel Crabtree and Mark McCall Photographer
Food and Drink; Charcuterie; The Cure, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink; Dining; Drifters Wife, Joe Ricchio
Food and Drink; Dining; Izakaya Minato, Joe Ricchio and Douglas Merriam Photographer
Food and Drink; Dining; Pearl Kennebunk, Joe Ricchio and Stacey Cramp Photographer
Food and Drink; Dining; Taverna Khione, Joe Ricchio
Food and Drink; Dining; The Salty Owl, Willy Blackmore and Douglas Merriam
Food and Drink; Harvest; Far From the Tree, Desi Isaacson and Michael D. Wilson Photographer
Food and Drink; Just Add Water; Roughing It?, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink; Lunchtime; Toasts of the Town, Will Grunewald and Benajmin Williamson Photographer
Food and Drink; Provisions; Country Fare, Joel Crabtree
Food and Drink; Q & A; Juggling Act, Joe Ricchio and Michael D. Wilson
Food and Drink; Recipe; Flatfish Feast, Annemarie Ahearn
Food and Drink; Roll Call; Is This a Lobster Roll, Joe Ricchio and Michael D. Wilson Photographer
Food and Drink; Roundup; Grand Reopening!: Three classic Maine eateries are back in business, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink; Speedy Delivery; Air Bug: Lobster rolls anywhere, anytime, Joe Ricchio
Food and Drink; Summer Eats; Dog Almighty!, Cody Barry Photographer and Desi Isaacson
Food and Drink; We All Scream: For super creamy strawberry ice cream!, Annemarie Ahearn
Food & Drink; Reservation Desk: The Hotline
Good Things From Maine: Addie Peet Design, Virginia M. Wright
Good Things From Maine; Brose; Uptown 'Bunk, Tina Fischer
Good Things From Maine; Browse; Foreside Finds: Kittery's peppy pocket neighborhood has shops as eclectic as its chow, Virginia M. Wright
Good Things From Maine; Browse; Tresure Hunting
Good Things From Maine; Collecting; Hand Me Downs, Virginia M. Wright
Good Things From Maine; Collecting; House of Glass, Virginia M. Wright
Good Things From Maine; Craft; Avena Botanicals, Nicole Wolf Photographer and Jesse Ellison
Good Things From Maine; Craft; Loten Art Lighting: Montville
Good Things From Maine; Craft; Scythe Supply: Perry, Michael D. Wilson Photographer