"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
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
Retire in Maine: Our Comprehensive Guide to Retirement Communities, [Down East staff writers]
Road Trips 2016: Hidden Maine, Down East staff writers
Road Trips 2016: Scenic Spin, Jim Butler and Andrew Hetherington, photographer
Road Trips 2016: Want to be the First Person to Visit Katahdin Woods and National Monument? Here's What You Need to Know, Down East staff writers
Safe at Last, Jesse Ellison and Cig Harvey, photographer
Slice of Life: Baker's Dozen, Annemarie Ahearn and Douglas Merriam, photographer
Still Here, Jill Tompkins
Stranded, Diane F. Cowan
Strange Pilgrimage, Virginia M. Wright
Summer. In. Maine., Caroline Praderio
Swim Pickings, Down East staff writers
The Acadia Adventure Photo Contest, Acadia Insurance, presenter
The Definitive Oral History of the Lobster Roll, Brian Kevin; Nina Gallant, photographer; and Monica Mariano, stylist
The Destroyer, Andrew Vietze
The First Sober Barn Raising in Maine, Hanji Chang and Andy O'Brien
The Wreck Chaser, Rob Sneddon and Jesse Burke. photographer