"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 2016
Marathon Man, Kathryn Miles and Michael D. Wilson, photographer
Mini-Me: Six Homeowners Find Big-time Pleasure in Their Tiny Retreats, Cynthia Anderson and Irvin Serrano, photographer
Monument's Man, Don Lenahan
North by East. 2016 Environmental Award: The Weed Wackers, Sara Anne Donnelly
North by East. A Farewell to Scales, Will Grunewald
North by East. All Stove Up, Meadow Rue Merrill
North by East. Boyd in the Hood, Jesse Ellison
North by East. Bunker, Sweet Bunker, Will Grunewald
North by East. Channel Champ, Down East staff writers
North by East. Colossus of Christmas, Down East staff writers
North By East. Cover Story: Wasn't the Indie Bookstore Supposed to be a Relic by Now?, B.K. [Brian King]
North by East. Don't Drink That!, Will Grunewald
North by East. Fogged Over, Jesse Ellison
North by East. Going Postal, Brian Kevin
North by East. GQ: Do We Need It?, Brian Kevin
North by East. In Memoriam: Donn Fendler, Thurlow John
North by East. In Memoriam: Stell Shevis, Down East staff writers
North by East. Jumping Ship: As the Portland Pirates Leave Town, a Former Player Remembers the Team's Swashbuckling First Season, Will Grunewald
North by East. Lunch with Ann, Will Grunewald
North by East. Maine's Record-breaking Giants, [Down East staff writers]
North by East. Malcolm Gladwell Likes Bad Food and is Wrong About Bowdoin, Will Grunewald
North by East. Naked, Unafraid: A Native Maine Bares All on a 40-Day Survival Challenge, Down East staff writers
North by East. Nasty Summer Cold, Rob Sneddon
North by East. No Man an Island, Will Grunewald
North by East. Paper Trails, Will Grunewald
North by East. See Stuart Run, Will Grunewald
North by East. Shellfish Pride, Virginia M. Wright
North by East. Talk of Maine: Clearing the Air(bnb), Will Grunewald
North by East. Talk of Maine: Straight Talk, Down East staff writers
North by East. The Great Pumpkin Brewhaha, Joe Ricchio and Will Grunewald
North by East. The Land Before L'Chaim, Will Grunewald
North by East. The Last Full Measure, Will Grunewald
North by East. The Wyeth Caper, Patty Wright
North by East. Vexillology 101, Joel Crabtree
North by East. What's in a Picture?, Down East staff writers
North by East. What's in a Picture?, Down East staff writers
North by East. What's in a Picture? A Fish Tale, Virginia M. Wright
North by East. What's in a Picture? Basket Case, Virginia M. Wright
North by East. What's in a Picture? Betting on Thin Ice, Brian Kevin
North by East. What's in a Picture? Fun and Games, Down East editorial staff
North by East. What's in a Picture? Have a Seat, Brian Kevin
North by East. What's in a Picture? The Gospel According to Benjamin Bubar, Virginia M. Wright
North by East. What's in a Picture? Urban Retreat, Virginia M. Wright
North by East. What Your Maine Sled Choice Says About You, Brian King
North by East. Where's Wessie?, Jade Coffin
North by East. Why Did the Porcupine Cross the Road?, Joel Crabtree
Once More to the City, Suzanne Strempek Shea
Our First-ever Reader Photo Contest, [Down East staff writers]
Portal to the Past: A Maine Antiques Shopping How-To, Catherine Burke and Mark Fleming, photographer