"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 2019
Good Things From Maine: The Cat's Meow, The Editors
Good Things from Maine: The Shape of Light, Tina Fischer
Good Things from Maine: Van der Ven Studios, Arielle Greenberg
Good Things from Maine: Waxing Romantic, Jesse Ellison
Good Things From Maine: Wilcox Bows, Joyce Kryzak
Gravy Train, Katy Kelleher
Handle with Care, Brian Kevin
Healthy Foundation, Bridget M. Burns
Home to Roost, The Editors
Homeward Bound, Kathryn Miles
House Tour: A Storied Home, Virginia M. Wright
House Tour: Country Ways, Virginia M. Wright
House Tour: Home, On a Lark, Joyce Kryszak
House Tour: It's Not Complicated, Sara Ann Donnelly
House Tour: Long Time Coming, Jesse Ellison
House Tour: Stylishly Sensible, Virginia M. Wright
House Tour: This Old (Mod) House, Virginia M. Wright
How I Made This: Music from the Woods, Sara Ann Donnelly
Instant Classic, Michaela Cavallaro
It's Alive, Sara Ann Donnelly and Virginia M. Wright
Keeping Time, Joel Crabtree
Legends of the Fall, Suzanne Rico
Maine Classics: Of All the Winds That Blow, Brian Kevin
Maine Gives Back: "Being Able to See Somebody Have a House -- It's So Fulfilling", Michaela Cavallaro
Maine Gives Back: "Eating a Meal with People Seems to be a Barrier Breaker", Frances Killea
Maine Gives Back: "It's a Whole Vicious Cycle, and It's Preventable", Willy Blackmore
Maine Gives Back: "Music is Important for All Children", Will Grunewald
Maine Gives Back: "The Woods Were My Refuge", Ron Joseph
Maine Gives Back: "Volunteering is Contagious...", Josh Christie
Maine Homes: A Lilac Ramble, Elizabeth Choi
Maine Homes; Antiques Roadshow, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: Hidden Treasure, Sara Anne Donnelly
Maine Homes; House Tour; Cold Comfort, Meadow Rue Merrill Photographer
Maine Homes: My Space: Culture Trip, Sarah Stebbins
Maine Homes: Rustic and Sleek, Sara Anne Donnelly
Maine-Made Gift Guide, Laura Serino
Maine Street Style, Arielle Greenberg
Maine Street Style: Campus Couture, Arielle Greenberg
Maine Street Style: Confidently Natty, A. G.
Maine Street Style: Easy Does It, Arielle Greenberg
Maker: Tooling Around, Tina Fischer
Material Girls, Michaela Cavallaro
Meet the Worm Wranglers, Virginia M. Wright
Monhegan Light, Benjamin Williamson
My Favorite Place: Dr. Edison Liu, Bar Harbor Shore Path, Brian Kevin
My Favorite Place: Jared Golden: The Leeds Countryside, Brian Kevin
My favorite place: Jennifer Rooks, Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, Sarah Stebbins
My Favorite Place: Kara DioGuardi, Hartley Mason Reserve, York, Bridget M. Burns
My Favorite Place: Nell Shipman, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, Brian Kevin