"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 2017
Dooryard; Postcard From Home, Deepak Singh
Dooryard. Recipe: Cherries, Baby, Annemarie Ahearn's
Dooryard; Recipe; Down-Home Comfort: Creamy, rich chicken potpie is as satisfying as it is humble, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard; Recipe; Fresh and Sweet: Blackberry buckle is a fine farewell to berry season, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard; Recipe; Mussel Bound: Briny mollusks and rich, garlicky cream make a soul-warming stews, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard; Recipe; Seconds Best: Slow-cooked lamb riblets satisfy hearty winter appetites, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard. Recipes: Flower Moon Favorites, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard. Recipes: Fritter Away
Dooryard. Recipes: Gold Rush, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard. Recipe: Simply Elegant Chocolate Mousse, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard. Recipe: Sorrel is So Real, Martha Stewart
Dooryard. Recipe. Winter Comfort: A Classic British Dish is Well Suited to a Cold Maine Night, Annemarie Ahearn
Dooryard; Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard; Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard; Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard; Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With A View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room with a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryard. Room With a View, Franklin Burroughs
Dooryear. Critters: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beetles, Greg Westrich and Michael D. Wilson, photographer
Fa-La-La-La-Low Chart: Find the Maine celebration that's right for you
Frappe Sheet: Here's where to get the shakes this summer, Brian Kevin
From Our Archives. August 1956: Flighty Friend, [Editorial staff writers] and Yolla Niclas, photographer
From Our Archives. July 1994: Stock Photos, Virginia Thorndike and Mark Jenson, photographer
From Our Archives. November 1977: The Young King, [Editorial staff writers]
From Our Archives. November 1985: The Audacity of Rope, [Editorial staff writers]
From Our Archives. September 1969: Reid All About It, [Editorial staff writers]
Full-Speed Ahead: A smart recession-era move favoring new boats and innovation has made Sabre Yachts an industry leader, John Grossmann and Brian Fitzgerald Photographer
Garden Party, Sarah Stebbins; Douglas Merriam, photographer; and Madeline Macomber, styler
Guide. Art: Art Nouveau, Will Grunewald
Guide. Art: Cover Story, Mira Ptacin
Guide. Book: Boys of Summer, Will Grunewald
Guide; Books; Hometown Hero: Superman protects Metropolis, Batman fights for Gotham- but who's watching over Maine, Joel Crabtree
Guide. Books: Put Maine on Your Coffee Table, Jesse Ellison
Guide. Dining: 18 Central Oyster Bar & Grill, Joe Ricchio and Douglas Merriam, photographer
Guide; Dining; Biscuits & Company: Biddeford, Will Grunewald and Greta Rybus Photographer
Guide. Dining: Brahma Grill, Joe Ricchio and Douglas Merriam, photographer
Guide. Dining: Coda, Virginia M. Wright and Michael D. Wilson, photographer
Guide; Dining; Cong Tu Bot, Joe Ricchio
Guide; Dining; Cong Tu Bot, Joe Ricchio and Brian Fitzgerald Photographer