"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
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
Ultimate Fall, Virginia M. Wright and Carl Tremblay, photographer
Wakey, Wakey, Joe Ricchio; Virginia M. Wright; Brian Kevin; Grace-Yvette Gemmell; Mark Fleming, photographer; and Michael Wilson, photographer
We Need More Mainers Like ZamZam Mohamud, Jesse Ellison and Greta Rybus, photographer
What's in a Picture? Barrels of Fun, Will Grunewald
What's in a Store?, Virginia M. Wright and Jarrod McCabe, photographer
What's Next for the World's Best Teacher?, Michaela Cavallaro and Dana Smith, photographer
Where the Loons Call, Virginia M. Wright and Paul Tessier, photographer
Where to Eat Now, Douglas Merriam, photographer
Where to Eat: Town, Kittery, Sara Forrest, photographer
"Which Way to the Park?", Douglas Deur
Submissions from 2015
137 Ways to Have the Best Summer Ever, Caroline Praderio
2015 Best Places to Live in Maine, Mirek Jurek, Mark Fleming, Deb Fahy, Kathleen Fleury, Jean Macaulay, Nancy Rose, and Brian Kevin
40 Maine-Made Gifts, Laura Serino; Irvin Serrano, photographer; and Emmie Michaud, styling
50 Shades of Chambray, Elizabeth A. De Wolfe
Acadia in winter, Andrew Vietze and Patryce Bak, photographer
Ain’t no mountain nearby enough, Brock Clark and Ted Axelrod, photographer
All Aboard!, Meadow Rue Merrill and Douglas Merriam, photographer
All is Well, John Clarke
A winter place, Virginia M. Wright; Paul Cyr, photographer; and Ken Lamb, photographer
Becoming Wild, Lewis Robinson and Michael Wilson, photographer
Beneath the Smokestacks, Rob Sneddon; Monica Wood; and Ron Currie, Jr.
Best of Maine 2015: Editor’s Choice, [Editorial staff writers]
Best of Maine 2015: Reader’s Choice, [Editorial staff writers]
Bon Voyage (and Appetit), Kate McCarty and Douglas Merriam, photographer
Buckle up! Your Ultimate 324-Mile* (give or take) 3-Day 2-Night Fall Foliage Tour, Virginia M. Wright and Mark Fleming, photographer
Closure?, Jesse Ellison
Does Maine Need Coyotes?, B.K. [Brian King]
Dooryard : Cooking. Bold comfort, Kerry Altiero
Dooryard. Garden: A Family Affair, Virginia M. Wright and Mark Rowe, photographer
Dooryard. Going Green, Edgar Allen Beem
Dooryard. Home: Artful Enclave, Melanie Brooks; Erin Little, photographer; and Janice Dunwoody, Styling
Dooryard. Home: Cottage Living All Year Long, Meadow Rue Merrill and Douglas Merriam, photographer
Dooryard. Home : Modern history, Melanie Brooks